HILO » A former student at the Hawaii island campus of Kamehameha Schools who is accused of threatening the school’s security staff with references to the Virginia Tech shooting rampage will be held on $100,000 bail.

Jeremy Acosta, 18, is accused of posting threats on Facebook such as "rent a cops must die." He also said he could take Virginia Tech to the next level but doesn’t want to "hurt any of the fellow Hawaiians," according to a police affidavit.

"I am hurting rent a cops tomorrow they are gonna needs guns to stop me even tanks missiles and an airborne assault im just bringing me and maybe a party of 3 including me," he allegedly wrote.

School security received tips about the Facebook posts and contacted police. Costa was arrested Tuesday.

During a brief court appearance Wednesday, Costa gestured several times with his middle finger, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

Defense attorney Ivan Van Leer asked for bail to be reduced. Deputy Prosecutor Glenn Shiigi cited Costa’s danger to the community, and to himself, in arguing to maintain the bail amount.

Costa’s father, James, said the alleged incident was "blown out of proportion." His son was in a car accident three years ago and hit his head, which he said could be a reason for the teen’s behavior.

Kamehameha Schools spokesman Kekoa Paulsen said Costa was expelled in August for reasons he would not reveal. Costa’s father said it was because of smoking marijuana off campus.

Paulsen said Costa trespassed on campus Monday and shoved a security officer when he was asked to leave.

The Kamehameha Schools was established in 1883 by the will of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop as a nonprofit trust that educates Hawaiian children.