Counselors Ready In Montclair Schools After Texas Shooting: Official

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A school official in Montclair says the district is reviewing security protocol with staff and is making counselors available for students in light of the tragic shooting at a Texas elementary school on Tuesday, authorities say.

The number of children killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde has risen to at least 19, according to reports. The gunman – who was killed in the shooting – also shot his grandmother before entering the school, according to reports. Read More: Texas School Shooting: 19 Children Killed In Uvalde

New Jersey Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that New Jersey State Police will ramp up their presence at the Garden State schools where troopers are the primary law enforcement. All 21 county prosecutors have also been instructed to increase local police presence at schools in their jurisdictions.

Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted that the measure comes despite "no credible threats" in New Jersey. Read More: More Police To Patrol NJ Schools After Texas Shooting, AG Says

Montclair School Superintendent Jonathan Ponds issued a statement about the local response to the shooting. He wrote:

"It is with a broken heart that I write to you this morning. Making sense of such a horrific act of violence where students and a teacher lost their lives in a senseless mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas is incomprehensible. Our prayers and condolences are with the families, friends, school personnel, town officials, and all who are now suffering and dealing with what must be unbelievable grief."

Ponds continued:

"Today, our administrators will be reviewing all safety protocols with staff. We will have counselors ready to support students and staff as the day unfolds. We will do all in our power to reinforce to the students that we are here to protect them, speak so they feel safe and encourage them to speak to us if they are feeling sad, lonely, confused or just need someone to whom they can talk. Please know we are always in close contact with the Montclair Police Department to strengthen our safety protocols."

"We emphasize that if you see something, read something or otherwise hear of something, please report it no matter how inconsequential you may think it is," Ponds concluded. "Although this tragedy was not in our hometown but hundreds of miles away, we mourn for the community of Uvalde, Texas and want to assure you that the safety of our students and staff members is always our utmost priority."

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