September 09, 2024
Thom Carroll/For PhillyVoice
Two South Jersey school districts are closed Monday after three juveniles were arrested for threatening shootings at five schools in a social media post Sunday night. Police say no one is at risk.
Three juveniles from Gloucester County have been arrested for threatening shootings at five South Jersey schools, police said.
Social media posts warned of shootings at Woodbury Junior-Senior High School in Woodbury, Thomas Bowe Middle School in Glassboro, Holy Angels Catholic School in Woodbury, Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School in Haddon Heights and Oak Valley School in Wenonah, NBC10 reported. Police said there was no credible threat to the schools.
Woodbury City Public Schools, which includes Woodbury Junior-Senior High, and the Deptford Township School District, which includes Oak Valley School, were closed Monday out of precaution. They also canceled transportation services and after-school activities.
The Harrison Township Police Department in Gloucester County said three juveniles were taken into custody, including one from Woodbury, another from Glassboro and a 15-year-old from Mullica Hill.
In a statement, Woodbury City Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Bell said the suspect from Woodbury was a 12-year-old.
"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," Bell wrote. "Please be assured that school safety remains our top priority, and we are taking every precaution necessary to maintain a secure environment."
Glassboro Public Schools, which include Thomas Bowe Middle School, remained open, but the district said there was increased police presence. Haddon Heights Police said they would be at schools in their jurisdiction, which includes Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School. Holy Angels Catholic School remained open Monday, NBC10 reported.
"We are aware of the recent threats made against our schools and are actively investigating the situation," Woodbury Police wrote in a Facebook post. "We are collaborating closely with school officials to ensure the safety and security of our community."
Deptford Township Police also said they're investigating the threat alongside other police departments and New Jersey State Police.
Anyone with knowledge of the threat can contact police at (609) 221-6721.
The shooting threats came after four people were fatally shot last week at a high school in Georgia.
