South Jersey schools disrupted by threats police are investigating as ‘swatting’ incidents

Threats against several South Jersey schools prompted lockdowns Friday, disrupting classes for thousands of students in what authorities said were unfounded dangers and suspected “swatting” incidents.

Swatting is when a prank call is placed in order to draw a large armed police presence at a particular location.

In Toms River, police said they received a call regarding a “potential shooting at Toms River North High School,” Fox29 reported. The school was locked down while police investigated and ultimately determined the threat unfounded and possibly a swatting episode.

Swatting was also suspected in other incidents at schools in Cumberland and Ocean Counties.

Police were dispatched to check out a threat at Vineland High School in Cumberland County, where they found no danger to students or staff, the department said on its Facebook page.

In Ocean County, Barnegat High School also received a threat of a shooter Friday, police said. Students were evacuated to the Collins School while police searched the high school. Police said no indications of any active threats were found. Nearby schools were told to shelter in place during the reported threat.

Stafford Township schools also issued a shelter-in-place order as a precaution. It was lifted several hours later.

The superintendent for Hamilton Township School District in Mercer County said in a note to parents Friday that two 911 calls to the high school, later deemed a hoax, resulted in shelter-in-place precautions and a later lockdown. Neither of the calls came from inside the school, he said.

“At no time were any of our students or staff in any danger,” said Superintendent Scott R. Rocco. “Although that is a relief, it does not lessen the fear or scared feelings of our students and staff.”