Phillipsburg School District schools lifted from shelter-in-place after threat investigation
LOPATCONG TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — All schools in the Phillipsburg School District have resumed normal operations after being placed in a shelter-in-place status earlier Wednesday due to a reported threat, according to a Facebook post from District Superintendent Gregory Troxell.
According to district officials, the Phillipsburg Police Department received a phone call at about 9:29 a.m. from an unknown male who stated he intended to harm individuals at Phillipsburg High School and also made a bomb threat. As a precaution, all schools in the district were immediately placed in shelter in place while law enforcement investigated.
Because of the threat, K-9 bomb units were deployed to Phillipsburg High School to search the building for explosive devices, officials said. The school was cleared and deemed safe at approximately 11:38 a.m., at which time the shelter-in-place order was lifted and normal activities resumed across the district.
Troxell thanked the Phillipsburg Police Department and assisting agencies for their response, noting that the Lopatcong Police Department led the investigation.
Officials said that at no time were students or staff in danger. An increased law enforcement presence will remain at all district schools for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
School administrators thanked families, students and staff for their patience and cooperation during the incident.
Other agencies assisting with this investigation were the Warren County Prosecutors Office, Warren County Sheriffs Department, Phillipsburg Police Department, Pohatcong Police Department, Greenwich Police Department, Washington Twp. Police Department, Union Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and New Jersey Transit Police.
