Willingboro officer shoots scissors-wielding teen

A Willingboro police officer shot and critically wounded a teenager outside a Burlington County school for youths with emotional disorders yesterday after the teen attacked the officer with scissors, authorities said.

The teen, a student at the Garfield Park Academy whose name wasn't immediately released, was wounded in the chest and abdomen. He was flown by medical helicopter to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

Willingboro police officers raced to the school shortly before 4 p.m. after several people called 911, reporting a student who was "out of control" and threatening staff members and other students in a school hallway, said Jack Smith, spokesman for the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Police officers said they found a 15-year-old wielding two pairs of scissors.

Officers repeatedly ordered the teen to drop the scissors, but he refused, Jack Smith said. He then lunged at an officer with the scissors.

The officer, Sgt. William Smith, fired two shots, striking the teen with both, Jack Smith said. The 19-year veteran was unhurt. He was placed on administrative leave with pay until the investigation by Willingboro police and the county prosecutor's office concludes.

School was back in session this morning.

Garfield Park Academy is a private school in Willingboro for students age 5 to 19 with emotional and social problems from Burlington, Camden, Mercer and Gloucester Counties.

The director of the school, Steven Morse, would not comment on the shooting.