Online threat closes schools in two NJ districts, teens charged

Three teens have been changed in connection with threatening social media posts that led to the cancellation of classes in two South Jersey school districts on Monday.

Deptford police on Sunday evening posted on the department's Facebook page that they were aware of a "threatening social media post" that mentioned “numerous schools in Gloucester and Camden counties” including one in the district. An investigation involving neighboring law enforcement agencies and State Police was immediately started.

Two hours later Superintendent Kevin M. Kanauss on the school district website and Facebook page announced the entire district would close Monday  “out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and security of our entire Deptford Spartan Community.”

The Woodbury School District also announced it would be closed on Monday due to a threat.

"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.

Threats made by teens, cops say

Police in Woodbury on its Facebook page said a juvenile suspect who was believed to be responsible for the threat to the district was in custody.  Harrison police in Gloucester County later in the morning said a teen in Glassboro and a 15-year-old in Mullica Hill were also charged.

The contents of the message were not disclosed.

NBC Philadelphia reported the threat to shoot up five public and private schools named Woodbury Junior-Senior High School, Bowe Middle School in Glassboro, Holy Angels Catholic School in Woodbury, Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School and the Oak Valley School in Deptford.

Harrison police said the teens also made a threat against "anything within a short distance from Kingsway High School" in Woolwich.

Threats were made to Brick Township and Paramus schools on Friday but they were deemed to not be credible. Classes went on as scheduled.

The threats come after four people were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Sept. 4.

Officials say Colt Gray, 14, shot and killed students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, both 14, and teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53. Eight other students and a teacher were injured — seven of them shot — and are expected to recover.

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