Student, 10, Charged After Threatening School In South Jersey: Police

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — A child was identified as the suspect behind an online threat against a Gloucester County school on Wednesday, police said.

The student posted a "disturbing" video involving a Franklin Township school that circulated on social media, authorities said. School officials alerted police at about 7:55 a.m. Wednesday. Soon after, police identified the suspect as a 10-year-old student from Franklinville, who is currently enrolled in the district.

The child was "immediately" removed from school and brought to police headquarters for further investigation. They will be charged with causing a false public alarm, police said.

Officials have not disclosed which school was allegedly targeted.

Each Franklin Township school conducted safety protocols Wednesday morning, which included police securing a perimeter as students entered the buildings. Police announced at about 9 a.m. that a suspect was in custody.

The security protocols have been lifted, and all students are safe, said Troy Walton, superintendent of Franklin Township Public Schools.

"We are asking all parents/guardians to have a conversation with your children in regards to the dangers of posting inappropriate or threatening material on social media," Walton said in a letter to the district community. "Our school principals will use this as a teachable moment and provide age appropriate lessons/activities to our students."

Police will maintain a heavy presence at each Franklin Township school.

Threats have emerged against various South Jersey schools in recent weeks, resulting in arrests. Online shooting threats prompted Deptford Township and Woodbury City public schools to cancel class Sept. 9. Three minors were arrested.

In a separate incident last week, a student was charged after police investigated a possible threat against a Bellmawr middle school.

Police also investigated threats last week against Gateway High School in Woodbury Heights, which they believed were "copy cats" of prior incidents.

"These, to this point, non-credible and fraudulent threats, are not only causing mass public alarm, but also occupy many, many hours of police work, follow up and ultimately prosecution," said Woodbury City police. "We are asking the public and parents to be aware of these students’ online activity and to make it clear to them of the extremely serious consequences that can change a young person’s future."

The threats follow a Sept. 4 shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where a student killed two students and two teachers and injured several others, authorities said. The incident has amplified national conversations around school shootings and gun laws.