15-Year-Old Student Threatens To 'Shoot Up' Watchung Hills School, Charged: Police

WARREN, NJ — A 15-year-old Warren boy is accused of threatening to "shoot up" Watchung Hills Regional High School(WHRHS) and also making videos of himself hurting a family pet, said Somerset County Acting Prosecutor Annmarie Taggart.

The WHRHS student was charged on Monday with a juvenile delinquency complaint charging him with second-degree conspiracy to commit false public alarm, and fourth-degree animal cruelty. The charges follow a threat made on May 25 that caused a lockdown at the school.

On May 25 at about 12:10 p.m., WHRHS got a phone call from someone, later identified as the arrested student, saying he was "in a school bathroom with weapons and he was going to shoot up the school at the next bell," said Taggart.

Warren Township Officers, along with officers from 13 surrounding jurisdictions and Somerset County agencies went to the school to help with lockdown procedures.

After an extensive search of the entire school, it was determined the threat was not credible. The lockdown was lifted just after 2 p.m. with students and faculty dismissed while police maintained a presence at the school.

An investigation into the threat ultimately revealed the 15-year-old boy, who is enrolled at the WHRHS, had direct knowledge of the threat on May 25, said Taggart.

The investigation also found that the student also tried to make another call of a similar nature to the school on May 26.

At no time was there a person in the school with any type of weapon, said Taggart.

Additionally, during the course of this ongoing investigation, Warren Township detectives became aware of videos the teen was creating and disseminating of animal cruelty — specifically of him harming a family pet, said Taggart.

The boy was taken to the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center pending a Family Court appearance.

Taggart commended the Warren Township Police for their work on this matter and for ensuring the safety of all students and community members in Warren Township.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Warren Township Police Department at 908- 753-1000, or Warren Township Police tip line at warrenpolice.com, or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.