New Charge For Gunman Arrested At Westfield Elementary School

WESTFIELD, NJ - The 46-year-old man who was caught in a Westfield Elementary School parking lot lastweek with a handgun had more than 130 rounds of ammunition is facing an additional charge, according to Union County Prosecutor spokesperson Mark Spivey.

Thomas J. Wilkie of Bear, Del. had been charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, fourth-degree possession of hollow-point bullets, and fourth-degree trespassing on school grounds, according to acting Union County Prosecutor Jennifer Davenport.

"In the matter of State v. Wilkie, an additional charge of third-degree possession of a firearm in or upon the grounds of an educational institution has been filed against the defendant in Superior Court," Spivey said.

Wilkie was apprehended outside of Tamaques School where he was found with the gun and ammunition after classes had let out for the day, authorities said.

At approximately 3:55 p.m. on Thursday, Westfield Police Department patrol officers and detectives responded to Tamaques Elementary School on a report from the New Castle County Police Department in Delaware that a man, later identified as Wilkie, was en route to the school and may be armed, according to authorities.

The school was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure, and to identify any other potential threats. Arriving officers located Wilkie in the front seat of his vehicle, a 2019 Mitsubishi SUV, parked in the school's parking lot. He was holding a .45-caliber handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets, authorities said.

An additional 130 rounds of ammunition were found in his trunk, authorities said.

Spivey said a detention hearing has been tentatively scheduled to take place at 9 a.m. Wednesday before Judge Frederic McDaniel, whose courtroom is located in Room 201C of the Cherry Street Courthouse Annex, 2 Cherry Street in Elizabeth.

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