Ocean County Schools' Police Presence Increasing After Texas Shooting Kills 18 Children

TOMS RIVER, NJ — There will be additional law enforcement present at all schools in Ocean County on Wednesday in the wake of the mass shooting at a Texas elementary school, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Tuesday night.

"In light of the tragic and senseless shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, there will be heightened law enforcement presence at all schools in Ocean County tomorrow, May 25, 2022," Billhimer said in a statement.

"I have been in contact with Ocean County Chiefs of Police Association President/Lacey Township Police Chief Michael DiBella and Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, and all of our local police departments, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office will be present and visible at all of our schools throughout Ocean County tomorrow," Billhimer said. "The safety of our children, teachers and administrators is of paramount importance. We will remain vigilant against any threat to our schools."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the innocent victims of yet another senseless and depraved act of violence. We mourn with all of you," Billhimer said.

The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed to multiple outlets, including The New York Times, that 18 children were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. A teacher also was killed, the reports said.

The shooter was armed with a handgun when he entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde and was believed to have been killed in the shooting by law enforcement officers, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. Read more: Texas School Shooting: 18 Children Killed In Uvalde

School districts throughout Ocean County have police officers present during the school day for security reasons, a measure that was added in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglass High School in Parkland, Florida in February 2018. But those assignments are at varying levels from district to district and school to school, so Billhimer's announcement means the law enforcement presence will be beefed up.