Social media threat closes several South Jersey schools; 4 in custody

NEW JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Several schools in South Jersey closed Monday because of a threat made on social media. Four juveniles are in custody.

According to the threat posted on TikTok, there would be a shooting at five schools: Woodbury Junior and Senior High, Bowe Middle School, Bunker Hill Middle School, Holy Angels Catholic School, Haddon Heights Junior and Senior High, and Oak Valley School.

Even though specific schools were named, as a precaution, officials with Woodbury City and Deptford Township school districts decided to close all of their schools. After school activities are canceled.

Glassboro Public Schools, which Bowe Middle School is part of, will be open with a beefed-up police presence. Harrison Township police say at this time, there is no known threat to the schools.

Four people, including a 15-year-old from Mullica Hill, were arrested.

“We want to thank all agencies involved as well as members of the community who spoke up and provided information to assist us in the quick resolution of this incident,” Glassboro police said in a statement on Facebook.

Joseph Luciano is a crossing guard who says he couldn’t believe it when he saw threatening posts on social media.

“Shocking turn of events I had talked to people about. First post I thought was a joke but now I find out it’s not,” he said.

In light of last week’s deadly school shooting in Georgia , where four people died, districts and police are on alert.

Law enforcement sources told KYW Newsradio they are proud of how quickly multiple agencies responded to deal with these threats and make arrests, but also said it’s unfortunate so many resources were used on something like a potential mass shooting.

Republican State Senator Michael Testa told KYW Newsradio that the current consequences are not strong enough to act as a deterrent.

“People need to be punished accordingly," he said. "There needs to be consequences. This state and nation have gone soft.”

Woodbury Police are still investigating the incident. They ask anyone with information about the threats to give them a call at 609-221-6721.