Firearm Ammunition Delivered To Chatham School Prompts Evacuation

CHATHAM, NJ - The accidental addition of a box of firearm ammunition in a safety equipment delivery prompted the evacuation of St. Patrick's School on Tuesday, according to the Chatham Borough Police Department.

According to authorities, officers responded to St. Patrick’s School, located at 45 Chatham Street, to investigate the discovery of a suspicious package. While waiting for the arrival of police, the children were sheltered in place. Shelter in place protocol means finding a safe location indoors and staying there until given an “all clear” or told to evacuate. On Tuesday, once police arrived the students were evacuated to an alternate location.

The package, a factory sealed box containing firearm ammunition, was among a pallet of school traffic safety equipment delivered on Friday, police said.

Members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Office assisted Chatham Borough Police with a precautionary sweep, confirming the school grounds were safe, police said.

The school notified parents and guardians of the evacuation, police said.

The Chatham Borough Detective Bureau was able to confirm the delivery of the ammunition was a mistake, police said.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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