JACKSON, NJ – Schools across Ocean County and New Jersey today received hoax phone calls about possible shooters on school property. In Ocean County, Toms River North, Barnegat and Jackson Liberty were all targeted.
Students were evacuated in Barnegat and Toms River North was placed on lockdown. By the time the call was made to Jackson Liberty, police were made aware to the swatting hoaxes taking place else.
Still, the Jackson Police Department responded accordingly.
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“Similar to other situations taking place in Ocean County and statewide today, the Jackson Police Department received an unfounded report of a shooting taking place at Jackson Liberty High School. The police were able to immediately determine the call was a hoax, and that the threat was unfounded,” the Jackson School District said today. “We commend the police department for their swift analysis and response to this situation and to School Resource Office Matthew Colangelo for informing the district immediately of the report and that no district response was necessary. Please know that the district and law enforcement would not hesitate to lockdown or evacuate if there was any validity to a threat.”
It was clear soon after that the hoax was being perpetrated at many schools around the state and appears to be coordinated.
At this time, it’s not certain whether it’s just a hoax or an individual with an ulterior motive.