Man Said He'd Blow Up Centenary Dorm, College Says

Police are looking for a man who threatened to blow up a building on the Centenary College campus Sunday night, leading to an investigation and heightened awareness in the community.

Students reported seeing a male in his late teens looking into one of the residence halls while holding a red, cylindrical container, the college said. When students asked what he was doing, the teen said he was going to blow up the building, Centenary stated.

It is not currently known if the man is a student at the college.

During an investigation, police found discrepancies in the eyewitness accounts, and it was unknown if the teen was planning to blow up the building or the can itself, the school said.

Police suggested what was reported as a gas can may have been a helium cylinder from the day’s local fair, which was held behind the college, but that container has yet to be found, the school said.

Hackettstown Police stated Monday morning the man threatened to blow up the can itself.

“We don’t believe the community or school is any danger,” Hackettstown Police Chief James McCauley said.

The man was last seen leaving the college Sunday night and heading toward town, Centenary said.

Police said the man is black, was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark pants and was carrying the canister.

The school and local police are working together to find the suspect, and all activities are scheduled without interruption at the college.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Hackettstown police at 908-852-3300.