UPDATE: Prosecutor Says Gunman Threat At Holmdel School Met With Full Law Enforcement Response

When police received a report of an armed intruder at a Holmdel elementary school, they countered with a full-scale police response, but now that report is being investigated as an apparent hoax, authorities said.

“We will always view a threat of violence against our young students as a serious threat. A dozen law enforcement agencies responded in full force today to ensure that safety but it turned out to be nothing more than a hoax – a very costly hoax – and thankfully no one was hurt,” acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said in a prepared statement.

According to a news release from his office:

At 10:53 a.m. Tuesday, someone called the Village Elementary School in Holmdel and reported that an armed intruder was at the school.

School officials immediately notified Holmdel police, placed the school on lock-down and implemented safety procedures.

Holmdel police, investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT), the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department, and officers from the Avon, Brookdale Community College, Colts Neck, Freehold, Keyport, Marlboro, Middletown, Tinton Falls, and Neptune police departments responded.

The emergency response team did a sweep of the school. Students were evacuated according to the school’s plan.

By 2 p.m., the school was deemed safe, and students and staff were allowed to return to their classrooms. Students left school at the normal dismissal time of 3:35 p.m.

“Everyone involved performed their respective roles professionally and assured the safety of the students,” Holmdel Police Chief John Mioduszewski said in a prepared statement. “I would like to thank each and every responder and a special thank you to Village Elementary School Principal Brian Schillaci, Schools Superintendent Barbara Duncan and all the teachers and staff that helped bring this incident to a successful conclusion.”

In a prepared statement, Holmdel Mayor Eric Hinds said he was proud of the community’s response.

“Chief Mioduszewski’s leadership and his team were well prepared for this event, but I would also like to thank all the neighboring towns for offering resources and support,” he said. “As a parent of a third grader, I share your concern. However, knowing such great preparation and leadership exists brought me great comfort.”

Subscribe to the Patch free daily newsletter for more local news, and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox, by clicking here.

Other Patch stories:

• WEATHER ALERT: Hazardous Weather Outlook Issued for North Jersey
• Tuxedo-Wearing Gas Attendant’s Firing Not Wawa’s First Controversial Employee Action
• ‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ Star With 47 License Suspensions Catches Another Break
• Prosecutor: Brick Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Woman Says He Stabbed Her