Special Ed. Teacher Said He'd 'Shoot Up' Cranford School: Cops

CRANFORD, NJ - A special education teacher at Orange Avenue School who is in jail undergoing a mental health assessment allegedly threatened to bring a gun the school and "shoot up the place" according to a complaint affidavit.

Matthew Acosta, a 33-year-old Kenilworth resident, was arrested and charged with one count of third degree terroristic threats and one count of fourth degree risking widespread injury or damage for an incident that happened at the school last Friday.

According to the State v. Acosta complaint affidavit, Acosta, who has been employed at the school since May of 2018, was having difficulty adjusting to being a special education teacher.

The complaint notes that Acosta had several disciplinary infractions and and exhibited anger issues directed at a pair of teachers he directly worked with in the classroom.

"Matthew was adamant that his co-teachers were out to get him and he should just bring a gun to school and shoot up the place," the complaint reads.

According to the complaint, Acosta was adamant his co-teachers were "out to get him."

On Thursday, State Superior Court Judge Daniel R. Lindemann granted the State's motion to remand Acosta pending a mental health screening for dangerousness, according to the Director of Communications for the Union County Prosecutor's Office Mark Spivey.

Several factors could influence how long that process takes, so no clear timeline for a second hearing could be established.

"Once that evaluation is memorialized in a report and the report is given to the defense and State attorneys, a new hearing date will be scheduled," Spivey said.

School Superintendent Scott Rubin said last Friday afternoon a faculty member reported to Orange Avenue School Principal Marc Edery that another faculty member made a threat against Orange Avenue School. Edery immediately contacted Cranford Police Department, who conducted an investigation and arrested Acosta.

Chief of Police Ryan Greco ordered increased security at the school on Monday and Greco said the additional officers will remain in place for the time being.

(Photo courtesy of Google Images)

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