A 37-year-old man is in serious condition tonight after he suffered apparent gunshot wounds in the North Kohala area.

Police responded to Wainaia Gulch near the 24-mile marker on Route 270 after they received report of a person in distress. When they approached the man, officers heard a single gunshot that came from an unknown location. Police said the gunshot struck the man.

Preliminary investigation has shown that the victim was shot twice.

Kohala Middle School was on lockdown as police investigated the area. Akoni Pule Highway was also closed between Iole and Halaula roads at about 9:30 a.m. today, a Hawaii island police spokesman said. The highway was re-opened around 2 p.m.

The Kapaau Post Office was also closed temporarily, after notice of the road and school closures, according to U.S. Postal Service spokesman David Walton. In addition, he said the bank next door was closed as well.

Police believe this incident is not related to a police search for 41-year-old Walter Gomes III, contrary to social media posts.

Police ask for witnesses to contact Lieutenant Roylen Valera at (808) 326-4646 extension 230 or via email at roylen.valera@hawaiicounty.gov.