Ocean Co Teen Indicted In Graduation Shooting Plots

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Plumsted teenager has been indicted on charges in connection with a plot to commit a mass shooting at the New Egypt High School and Ocean County Vocational Technical School graduations in June, Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced Thursday.

Matthew Vladimir Vanderbeek, 19, was indicted by an Ocean County grand jury on charges of terrorism, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and attempted possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

The terrorism charge cites threats to commit "murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose with the purpose to promote an act of terror or to terrorize five or more persons," referencing threats to both New Egypt and the OCVTS school in Brick, where he was a student until he was permanently barred in early May.

The unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose is in connection with a compound bow, according to the indictment. The final count refers to Vanderbeek's alleged attempt to obtain a handgun on June 2, according to the indictment.

Vanderbeek was arrested June 19 after word of a threat circulated in text messages and on social media was reported to the administration at New Egypt High School, which then reported it to Plumsted Township police. Plumsted Detective Anthony Ringle and Detective Brant Uricks from the prosecutor's office investigated and Vanderbeek was identified as the suspect, Della Fave has said.

The probable cause affidavit filed alleges Vanderbeek told other students he planned to shoot up the graduation and had posted threatening messages on Snapchat, including one with background picture of a green-and-black biohazard symbol that included a quote referring to Exodus 9:9, a Bible verse that talks about ending the world and killing people, the affidavit said.

The affidavits filed also allege Vanderbeek had made threats to the Ocean County Vocational School in Brick, in which he allegedly told fellow students that "orange would be a good color to wear" to avoid being shot at the vo-tech graduation. He was suspended for nine days and placed on home instruction through New Egypt High School, where he was a student.

The affidavit also alleges Vanderbeek idolized James Holmes, the Colorado man who is serving a life sentence in the 2012 mass shooting during a showing of "The Dark Knight" in Aurora, Colorado, that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

Vanderbeek told investigators he had dyed his hair red to match that of Holmes and had studied the Aurora shooing and other mass shootings, according to the affidavit, and allegedly told investigators he gets 'a rush' from studying them.

A search of Vanderbeek's home turned up no weapons, Della Fave said. He allegedly had sought to get a .22-caliber firearm, but when he asked someone to drive him to a sporting goods store in Jackson the driver refused, according to the affidavit.

A suicide note from Vanderbeek to his family was found in his bedroom during the search conducted following the New Egypt graduation threat, the affidavit said.

New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal approved the terrorism charge against Vanderbeek on June 26.

Vanderbeek remains in the Ocean County Jail.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Teen Planned Shooting At New Egypt HS Graduation: Authorities
• Plumsted Teen Threatened Shooting At 2nd School: Affidavit
• Terrorism Charge Added In New Egypt Graduation Shooting Threat
• Teen Charged In School Plot Idolized Movie Shooter: Affidavit

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Matthew V. Vanderbeek photo via Ocean County Corrections Department