Walkout At Eastern Regional High School Over Gun Violence

Some students at Eastern Regional High School conducted a walkout to protest gun violence on Wednesday, according to the Voorhees Police Department. Police responded to the scene to ensure the safety of students, staff, and public, and the walkout ended without any incidents or disruptions, according to police.

There were between 100 and 200 students who participated in the walkout, according to Eastern Camden County Regional High School District Superintendent Dr. Harold Melleby Jr. Some students spoke, and were very sincere in their comments. They showed concern over what is happening in the country, Melleby said.

He said the district was aware that a walkout was a possibility ahead of time. He said teachers and staff only told students they would have to make up any work they missed during that time, and that students were OK with that possibility.

Melleby added that the district would work with students about their concerns, and try to provide a forum in the future to discuss the issue. He said that decision was ultimately up to the school's principal and administration, and that they had been in discussions with student leaders. Principal Robert M. Tull Jr. wasn't immediately available for comment.

A school safety forum has already been planned by the Voorhees Police Department. That forum will take place on Monday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. at the Voorhees Middle School Theater, 1000 Holly Oak Drive. Representatives of local and state government will be present.

It is also expected that representatives of the Voorhees Township Public Schools and Eastern Regional High School along with their respective boards of education will participate. All members of the Voorhees Community are invited and encouraged to attend and participate in this forum.

The Voorhees Public School District is a K-8 district. Eastern Regional High School includes students from Voorhees, Berlin Borough and Gibbsboro.

The walkout came less than a week after 18-year-old Jacob Finklestein, of Voorhees, was arrested for threatening to terrorize students and staff at the school. He was charged with one count of second-degree false public alarm and one count of third degree terroristic threats.

He was arrested on Feb. 15, after multiple students reported that they heard him saying he was going to shoot up the school, police said. After learning of the threats, police arrested Finkelstein and searched his home. No weapons were found at the home, according to Voorhees Police Capt. Captain Carmen Del Palazzo.

It also happened one week after a former student opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people, and was one of three walkouts at New Jersey high schools on Wednesday. The others were at Southern Regional and Middletown South high schools.

See related: Walkout At Southern Regional High Over Gun Violence
See related: Walkout At Middletown South High Over Gun Violence

Did you see the walkout, or participate and want to speak with Patch? Email Anthony.Bellano@patch.com.