Police launch investigations after shooting threats prompt lockdowns at several New Jersey schools
SKYFOX over Vineland High School after a threat prompted a police investigation.
VINELAND, N.J. - Police departments in multiple southern New Jersey towns are investigating threats against schools that prompted lockdowns on Friday morning.
In Toms River, police said they received a call regarding a "potential shooting" at Toms River North High School.
Authorities say the school was locked down, but the call was later deemed to be an unfounded threat.
Police are investigating it as a swatting incident, which occurs when a prank call is placed to draw a large police presence at a specified location.
In Vineland, police say they are also investigating a threat.
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Officers responded on scene and checked the school, saying no danger is present to the students and staff.
Barnegat High School also received a threat Friday, according to police.
Officials say officers responded to the building and found "no indications reports of anything occurring."
Bengal Boulevard will remain closed as officers investigate.
Surrounding schools in Barnegat were placed in a shelter-in-place status when the threat was reported.
Schools in Barnegat are now under normal operations, but Stafford Township Schools have issued a shelter-in-place as a precaution.
In Mercer County, officers responded to Hamilton High School West after police received a call from someone claiming that people were "trying to get into the door of Hamilton West." The school was briefly placed on lockdown until police deemed it safe.
"Hamilton Police, along with the Hamilton Twp. Board of Education, determined the phone calls were hoax calls," the department said in a statement.