Dumont HS student in custody after reported social media threat

<p>A Dumont High School student was arrested Monday after he allegedly posted a threat against the school online.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 26, 2018, 9:00 PM

Updated 2,248 days ago

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A Bergen County high school student was taken into custody Monday after a reported social media threat that prompted a lockdown and a SWAT team response.
Dumont police said the threat was made by a 15-year-old Dumont High School sophomore and seen by another student. The school was then placed on lockdown. The Bergen County SWAT team responded to the school along with police from Dumont and surrounding towns.
Students told News 12 New Jersey that the lockdown happened around noon. They said that they first thought that it was a drill. They hid under desks and inside classrooms. Photographs and videos posted on social media showed large groups of students inside the gym and out on the athletic fields.
The lockdown came nearly two weeks after a deadly mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. The students said that the recent shooting was on their minds during the lockdown.
“You think this can’t happen to you, but it does. It can happen to anyone, and it’s crazy it would happen here in such a small town,” said student Juliana Vasquez.
Dumont Police Chief Michael Conner said a gun was found at the student's home. It wasn't clear whether the weapon belonged to the student. No weapons were found at the school
The Dumont Public Schools sent a message to parents saying the student was taken into custody at about 1:15 p.m. and the lockdown was lifted.
The student’s name has not been released due to his age.
Classes resumed normally Tuesday.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office is investigating.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


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