Crime & Safety

Suspended Superintendent's Spouse Threatened NJ School Officials, Etched Their Names On Bullets, Reports Say

The man wrote the names of two school officials on bullets, according to reports.

GALLOWAY, NJ — The husband of a suspended Ocean County school superintendent is accused of making threats towards school officials, including inscribing their names on bullets, according to reports.

Lucas P. McCooley, husband of Pinelands Regional Superintendent Melissa McCooley, is charged with gun and terroristic threats offenses, the reports say. Melissa McCooley was suspended from her role last month. Lucas McCooley's arrest was initially reported by Jersey Shore Online.

Lucas McCooley made repeated and graphic threats about killing certain people, the report said. The names "Troy" and "Algie" were found written on bullets, believed to be referring to Pinelands Regional High School Principal Troy Henderson and school board president August Daleo, according to Jersey Shore Online.

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Police found the bullets, along with an illegal assault-style rifle and other firearms belonging to Lucas McCooley, while responding to a domestic violence incident at the McCooleys' home on April 12, according to NJ.com.

His wife also provided police with audio recordings of Lucas McCooley making violent, threatening statements, including one where he said “I will literally, literally go to his house and shoot him,” according to NJ.com.

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A restraining order was issued following the April 12 incident; Lucas McCooley violated it by reaching out to his wife through social media just days later, NJ.com reported.

Lucas McCooley's pre-indictment conference is set for May 13.

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