Social Media Threat Against Chatham School Not Credible

CHATHAM, NJ — A threat against Chatham Middle School posted to social media was found to be not credible, Superintendent Michael LaSusa said.

In a message sent home to parents and posted on the district website, LaSusa said police investigated social media postings by a middle schooler, some of which referenced a school shooting.

"The police have launched a full investigation, are working with the student and his family, and have determined that the student poses no active threat to the school," LaSusa said. The student will "not presently be attending school," he said, and a police officer will be at the middle school for increased security.

The threat comes less than a week after a school shooting in Parkland, Florida left 17 students and teachers dead. A number of other New Jersey schools, including Nutley and Matawan-Aberdeen, have received threats in the wake of the shooting.

"We are all deeply affected by the tragedy in Florida last week, and I recognize that we are all thinking about ways we can make our schools here in Chatham even safer. Our school district and Board of Education will continue to evaluate and make investments in our security practices, but right now I would like to thank the police for acting so swiftly to investigate the matter at hand and I would also like to thank the students who brought the posts to the attention of the police in the first place," LaSusa wrote.

• Read More: At Least 5 NJ School Threats Investigated In Last 72 Hours
• Read More: Accused Parkland Shooter Charged With 17 Counts Of Murder

Because the student is a minor and the investigation is ongoing, LaSusa said no further information will be released right now.

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