Lockdown At High School In Maplewood Was Caused By 'Unruly' Man With Water Gun: Police

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Police said that a lockdown at Columbia High School in Maplewood on Friday morning was caused by a man who had a "verbal altercation" with a teacher at Ritzer field.

Police said that at 8:06 a.m., they responded to the school after a teacher reported the altercation at the field and "advised CHS admin staff of a possible threat that lead the school to be placed into a modified lockdown."

Moments earlier, before the altercation, the Maplewood Police had received a call from CVS — across the street from the field — about an unruly male who assaulted a patron of the store, police said.

After getting a description of the man, "patrols made contact at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Jefferson Street with the unknown male. As patrols stopped the male to investigate the incident, they observed a purple toy water gun protruding from his pocket that was confiscated."

Police said, "Due to the male exhibiting signs of clear altered mental status, he was evaluated by South Essex Fire Department and transported to Newark Beth Israel. He was ultimately evaluated and released from Newark Beth Israel Hospital to MPD custody and transported to Essex County Correctional Facility due to an outstanding warrant out of Pennsylvania."

Police added, "At no time was the school entered or threats made towards students."

Police did not release the man's name or any charges in relation to Friday's incident.