Teen Planned Shooting At New Egypt HS Graduation: Authorities

PLUMSTED, NJ — A 19-year-old from Plumsted has been arrested after he threatened to shoot up the graduation ceremony at New Egypt High School, authorities announced Thursday.

Matthew Vanderbeek, 19, of Hyacinth Court, has been charged with third-degree terroristic threats with a threat to kill and second-degree attempting to possess a firearm for an unlawful purpose, according to a joint news release from Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Plumsted Township Police Chief Earl Meroney and Plumsted Township Schools Superintendent Gerald North. He was arrested Wednesday.

Graduation at the high school is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

In a letter posted on the district's website, North said the decision was made to go ahead with holding graduation outdoors, weather permitting, after consultation with the police department. There will be an increased police and security presence, North said.

"We, as always, have the safety and security of our students first and foremost in our decision-making," he said. "Please understand this situation was dealt with promptly and professionally to insure the safety at, as well as the memories from the graduation of the Class of 2018."

North said the high school administration was made aware of the threat on Tuesday and reported it to Plumsted Township police. Plumsted Detective Anthony Ringle and Detective Brant Uricks from the prosecutor's office investigated, in which a New Egypt High School student posted on social media threatening to shoot students and staff at the school’s graduation ceremony, Della Fave said.

Uricks and Ringle quickly identified Vanderbeek as the suspect who allegedly posted the threat, Della Fave said.

A court-authorized search of Vanderbeek’s home for weapons, additional evidence of the crime and to attempt to seize any communications made via phone or computer did not locate a weapon but found evidence that showed he was trying to obtain a firearm, Della Fave said. The search of his home included assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office’s CSI, as well as a K-9 capable of detecting the presence of firearms or ammunition, he said.

The search and follow-up investigation verified the threats by Vanderbeek and he was arrested, Della Fave said. He is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

"The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office wants to make it clear that there is no present threat to the Plumsted Township School system or the graduation ceremony," Della Fave said.

Vanderbeek once appeared before the Plumsted Township Committee, seeking information about the possibility of a skate park being opened in the township. The minutes of the July 10, 2013 meeting noted township officials said a skate park was something they wanted to add but was not financially within the town's budget. Mayor Dave Leutwyler's comments included applauding Vanderbeek, who was 14 at the time, "for someone his age to come and ask the question."

Matthew Vanderbeek photo provided by Ocean County Prosecutor's Office

This report has been updated with a statement from Plumsted Superintendent Gerald North