Police in South Jersey say they have three suspects in custody after a threat was posted online against several schools in Camden and Gloucester counties, closing two school districts in the area.
According to a screenshot posted on Facebook, the threat was posted on TikTok, stating that a shooting would occur on Monday at five South Jersey schools:
- Woodbury Junior-Senior High School
- Bowe Middle School, Holy Angel
- Catholic School
- Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School
- Oak Valley School
On Monday, the Harrison Township Police Department said three juveniles were taken into custody in connection with the threats, one from Woodbury, one from Glassboro, and a 15-year-old from Mullica Hill.
Police in Washington Township announced that a Bunker Hill Middle School student was also charged for posting a threat on social media.
In an update on the school’s website, Woodbury City Public Schools announced that the suspect from Woodbury was a 12-year-old student in the district
On Sunday night, the Glassboro Police Department announced that two juvenile suspects were in custody in connection with the threats.
This came after the Woodbury City Police Department announced that they had one juvenile suspect in custody whom they believed to be responsible for the threats.
Woodbury City Public Schools are closed on Monday due to the online threat. All after-school activities are canceled.
Officials said transportation services will not be provided Monday, including to Rowan College of South Jersey and GCIT.
“While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are exercising extreme caution to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and families. Please be assured that school safety remains our top priority, and we are taking every precaution necessary to maintain a secure environment,” Superintendent Andrew T. Bell Sr. wrote in a letter to the school community on Sunday night.
The Deptford Township School District also decided to close schools on Monday. Officials said all extracurricular activities are canceled and transportation to GCIT and other out-of-district schools will not be provided.
“After carefully reviewing the progress of the investigation with our security team and law enforcement this evening, I have decided to close schools for Monday, September 9, 2024, out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and security of our entire Deptford Spartan Community,” Superintendent Kevin M. Kanauss wrote in a message to families.
The announcement came after the Deptford Township Police Department said they’re investigating the threatening social media post against several schools in Camden and Gloucester counties. Police say there will be an increased police presence around schools on Monday and for the remainder of the week.
The Glassboro School District notified students, staff, and parents of the threat and the increased police presence on Monday after police were made aware of a threat against Bowe Middle School in an Instagram post.
Police in Haddon Heights posted a message to notify the community that they will deploy additional resources to schools to ensure students are safe.
“At this time HHPD would like our community to know that there is no credible threat to any school within our local jurisdiction at this time.”
Anyone with information about the threat is asked to contact police at (609) 221-6721.
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