Bomb Threat Prompts Evacuation At Monmouth County School

NEPTUNE, NJ — A Neptune man has been arrested after a bomb threat prompted an evacuation at Neptune High School on Friday, authorities said.

At 7:10 a.m., Neptune Police said a "vague bomb threat" was received at their dispatch center by phone, which referenced a threat to either Jersey Shore University Medical Center or Neptune High School.

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Neptune Police, along with OEM, EMS, and FD, responded and immediately coordinated with school and hospital officials to implement safety procedures.

Based on the nature of the threat and in coordination with school officials, an evacuation of Neptune High School was conducted and student arrivals were temporarily halted.

At the same time, Jersey Shore University Medical Center issued a shelter-in-place order.

"These decisions were based on several factors, including the nature and perceived credibility of the threat," police said. "Both locations were thoroughly investigated by teams of explosive-detection K-9s from the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office and other mutual aid partners, who located no threats or suspicious activity."

Neptune Police continued to investigate the call while protective measures were underway, which lead to the identification and arrest of a suspect.

Darius Merritt, 37, of Neptune, was found about 40 minutes later and detained, police said.

Following a thorough investigation of the two locations and an interview of Merritt, police said the threat was determined to be directed toward the hospital and not credible.

At 8:50 a.m., students and staff at the school were permitted to re-enter and the hospital's shelter-in-place was lifted.

Merritt was charged with false public alarms and terroristic threats, police said.

He was additionally issued a summons for an open container and had a bench warrant for his arrest from Asbury Park Municipal Court, according to police.

Merritt was brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a detention hearing in accordance with bail reform.

"All threats are treated with the utmost seriousness to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff," police said. "Thanks to the cooperation of the students, faculty, and staff at both facilities, as well as our local first responders and mutual aid partners, this situation was quickly resolved without incident."