Building cleared with no weapons found after 'credible threat'
Two teens were arrested after pictures posted on social media caused a lockdown at Absegami High School on Wednesday morning.
Police were called to the school at 10:16 a.m. about a lockdown after pictures posted on social media showed students and weapons that were possibly in the high school, police said.
No weapons were found inside the school, which was reopened after a nearly two-hour investigation that included explosives-sniffing dogs from Stockton University, the Egg Harbor Township Police Department and the Gloucester County Sheriff's Department.
Instead, police quickly located two students — a 16-year-old girl "K.S." and 17-year-old boy "J.A." — who eventually were charged with creating false public alarm.
A third student, Jil Patel, 18, was arrested shortly after the lockdown, when he allegedly sent out a group text to students creating another public alarm, police said.
No details of that text were released.
Parents were first told of the lockdown in a 10:45 a.m. email from Principal Jeri-Lynn Vernon.
"We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that sharing information in real time is essential in providing a safe environment in our schools," Vernon wrote in the follow-up email, sent out just before noon.
She said the safety procedures in place "worked effectively and efficiently" and thanked the Galloway Township Police Department for their service.
After hearing of the lockdown and police presence, parents were lined on the side of the road and parked in the church lot nearby waiting for the lockdown to clear.
