Red Bank Regional Teen Posted Gun Pic And Threat: Cops

RED BANK, NJ - A student at Red Bank Regional High School was arrested Sunday night after he allegedly posted a photo of a gun on social media, with the caption "Stay tuned," according to Little Silver police.

The student, who has not been identified because he is a minor, was arrested at approximately 11:00 p.m. last night and was charged with creating a false public alarm.

The teen is from Little Silver. He allegedly made the social media post sometime Sunday, Jan. 13 and it quickly spread among Red Bank Regional students on social media. By 9:00 p.m. Sunday, multiple Red Bank and Little Silver residents had forwarded a screenshot of the post to the police, Little Silver Police Chief Daniel Shaffery said in a statement.

While the post was not directed to any individual or institution, Little Silver and Red Bank police investigated, as did Red Bank Regional's School Resource Officer.

Police located the teen who allegedly made the posting and, "After interviews, there was no evidence to support a threat of danger to the public or the school," said Little Silver police in a statement.

However, police did find the firearm he posted the photo of: It was an air-soft gun, "which could reasonably be mistaken as real," Little Silver police said. Police seized the weapon.

The teen was not in school Monday, and Red Bank Superintendent Louis Moore said he, along with police and the Board of Education, made the decision to open Red Bank Regional as normal on Monday. The status of the student has not been determined, the district said.

The teen has since been released on a summons pending a court appearance.

Exterior of Red Bank Regional via Google Earth.