2 Lockdowns At Westfield High School, Sources Of Threats Being Questioned

WESTFIELD, NJ — Two separate emergency lockdowns were placed at Westfield High School on Wednesday. This also caused the other schools in the district to go into a Shelter-in-Place twice on the same day as well.

On Feb. 12, the Westfield Police Department went to two separate incidents at Westfield High School, confirmed Westfield Police Captain Ricerca.

At 8:08 a.m., the Westfield Police went to Westfield High School following reports of a potential threat through a conversation on a social media platform.

The school was placed under lockdown at 8:14 a.m. and out of an abundance of caution, all other schools in the district implemented a shelter-in-place protocol.

Officers conducted a thorough sweep of the school until the threat was ultimately deemed not credible and the lockdown was lifted at 9:05 a.m.

At 11:14 a.m., Westfield Police went a second time to Westfield High School, following new and potentially threatening comments from inside the school, said Ricerca.

Once again, the school was placed under lockdown at 11:19 a.m. and all other schools in the district implemented a shelter-in-place protocol.

Following a second thorough sweep of the school, the second threat was also deemed not credible and the lockdown was lifted at 11:56 a.m.

"The sources of both complaints were identified and brought to the Westfield Police Department for questioning, and both matters remain under investigation in consultation with the Union County Prosecutor's Office," said Ricerca.

No criminal charges have been filed in either case at this time, and additional details will be released as they become available.

"The Westfield Police Department extends its thanks to the Westfield Public Schools for their partnership, and to the students, staff, and faculty at Westfield High School for their patience and cooperation as these situations were brought to a safe resolution," said Ricerca.

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