A 15-year-old girl in New Jersey has been charged with a fourth-degree felony after a false alarm led to a shelter-in-place order at William Shemin Midtown Community School in Bayonne.
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- A 15-year-old girl has been arrested for causing a false public alarm at William Shemin Midtown Community School, affecting about 1,200 students.
- The incident, which occurred on a Monday morning, led to a temporary shelter-in-place order and closed nearby streets for about an hour.
- The suspect faces a fourth-degree felony charge, which for an adult could result in up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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Swatting Incident Shuts Down Elementary School in Bayonne
On a quiet Monday morning, the routine at William Shemin Midtown Community School in Bayonne, New Jersey, was abruptly disrupted.
At precisely 9:57 a.m., authorities received a threat against the school, hosting pre-K through eighth-grade students.
School officials took no chances and issued a shelter-in-place order, which affected all 1,200 students and faculty members.
Response and Consequences of the False Alarm
Bayonne Police, led by Captain Eric Amato, swiftly responded to the scene. Streets surrounding the school were temporarily closed as officers worked to assess the threat.
Captain Amato later confirmed, “At no time was the safety of any student, faculty member, or general public at risk.”
“Please be advised that the shelter in place has been lifted and all is well at the Den,” the “Home of the Bears” posted, reassuring parents and the community soon after.
Legal Repercussions and Community Impact
The suspect, a 15-year-old girl whose identity remains confidential due to her minor status, was arrested just hours after the prank.
She now faces a fourth-degree felony charge for causing false public alarm.
“This was a lesson learned out of school,” authorities remarked, highlighting the gravity of the prank, which, if committed by an adult, could result in up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
This incident clearly shows the serious legal and community problems that can arise from what may initially seem like a harmless prank.
Quick Resolution and Recovery After School Swatting
Bayonne Police Captain Eric Amato said the false alert was reported at 9:57 a.m. Police quickly investigated and figured it was just a swatting prank.
They confirmed it fast, which lessened the trouble and allowed the school to return to normal activities in about an hour.
The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear if the accused teenager attends the school or how the false information was communicated to officials.
