Little Egg Harbor Police: No Evidence of a 'Hit List' at School

Little Egg Harbor Township Police wanted to make it clear that there is no evidence of a "hit list" being found at Pinelands Regional Junior High School.

Police say that's why they posted on Facebook Thursday saying they became aware of rumors circulating on social media about such a “hit list” and they were there told that there was no credible threat to the school.

Apparently, the rumors of such a list began circulating at the school and on social media on Wednesday and many students went home Wednesday night and told their parents about the rumor.

Compounding the confusion was the fact that there were additional police officers visible at Pineland Reg. Jr. High on Thursday.

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Little Egg Harbor Township Police say that was only a coincidence. "The officers were onsite for prescheduled School Resource Officer training."

"After speaking with school officials today, the police department was advised that this matter was investigated yesterday by school administrators, and it was determined that it was NOT a hit list."

The tone of the parents responding to this Facebook post from police on Thursday was understandably tense. Many parents demanded answers or wondered why the school had conducted the investigation and not the police department.

The sad truth, in general terms, is that these situations have become a much more common occurrence in schools around the country.

Real or only rumored, the combination of the power of social media and the repeated instances of actual violence in schools has increased to the point where it just isn't that shocking anymore until it happens in your school.