Cops: T.R. North Sophomore Posted Threats in Bathroom

Handcuffs (Shorebeat File Photo/ banspy/ Flickr)

Police have charged a sophomore at Toms River High School North with posting threatening messages on a bathroom wall, officials announced Wednesday.

The student, who was not named, was charged in the Dec. 9 incident in which the statement, “do not come to school 12/9 boom boom” was written. Another message was written on the same wall in November.

The 15-year-old boy charged in the incident was arrested and charged with causing a false public alarm, a third degree crime. According to police spokesman Ralph Stocco, he was processed in the municipal jail and subsequently released to the custody of his father pending a future court date. In addition to the criminal charges, the student will face disciplinary action at the school level, Superintendent David M. Healy said. The discipline levied by the school system could range from suspension up to a recommendation to the Board of Education for expulsion.

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Healy said that in the coming weeks, all of the facts will be thoroughly reviewed by his staff and the school board prior to a final decision being made.

“We also want to thank the students who did the right thing by reporting the initial incident as well as providing information to school Principal Edward Keller and School Resource Officer Frank Bopp that led to the arrest,” said Healy.

Police Chief Mitch Little said the threat was never credible.

“Additionally, the student had no means or verifiable intent to act upon his threats,” Little said. “As always, we initially treat any incident such as this as legitimate until we can prove it otherwise. It is regrettable that a misguided decision by a child caused wide spread alarm to the community and wasted taxpayer resources.”