School In Bergen County Placed On Lockdown Due To Shell Casing In Bathroom: Officials

TEANECK, NJ — Teaneck High School was placed on a temporary lockdown Friday after a shell casing was found in the girls' bathroom, school officials said.

Police investigated and found no active threat, said Deputy Police Chief Seth Kriegel around 2:30 p.m. No other weapons were found in the school building, according to a letter from school officials sent to the school community around 1 p.m.

Schools Superintendent Andre Spencer and Principal Piero LoGiudice wrote in the letter:

"Earlier today, a single shell casing was discovered in a third-floor girls' restroom. Out of an abundance of caution, the school was immediately placed in a HOLD while the situation was investigated."

They wrote that police, school safety officials, and a Bergen County K-9 unit responded, finding no weapons. They have not identified anyone in connection with the find, the letter says.

"Throughout the entire process,' students and staff remained safe and supervised," school officials wrote.

Because the investigation continues, they wrote, "additional details will be shared if and when appropriate."

Kriegel said in a release that the school notified police that "an item of concern had been discovered within the building."

After the investigation concluded, "normal school operations have resumed," Kriegel noted. "Law enforcement personnel remain on scene as the investigation continues."

The lockdown lasted for around two hours, he told Patch.

Earlier this month, two high schools in North Jersey — Hoboken and Westfield — went into lockdown due to anonymous threats. The lockdown was lifted the same day with no threat noted, said officials. READ MORE: Hoboken High School Lockdown Due To A Disturbing Trend, Superintendent Says

Anyone with information about the school investigation or other investigations is asked to contact the Teaneck Police Department at 201-837-2600 or Crime Stoppers. Tips can be made anonymously on the group’s website at bergencrimestoppers.org or by calling 844-466-6789,
24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards for tips that lead to an arrest.