Police responded to Penns Grove High School at 7:23 a.m. after they received information about a rumored shooting.
CARNEYS POINT TWP. -- A South Jersey school was put on full lockdown Friday morning after a disagreement on social media sparked a rumor that someone would "shoot up the school," authorities said.
Police responded to Penns Grove High School on Harding Highway at 7:23 a.m. after they received information about rumors someone had placed on social media, according to Carneys Point Police Det. Sgt. Dale VanNamee.
"The police came to the school due to a parent contacting them due to a social media screenshot that didn't have any school name," Superintendent of Schools Dr. Zenaida Cobian said.
Officers were immediately dispatched to the school which remained under lockdown until the late morning when the action was lifted.
Police did not say what the initial disagreement was, but confirmed that two students had a verbal altercation online and that escalated through social media that weapons would be brought to school.
No weapons were found after an extensive search of the school, with assistance from the Salem County Prosecutor's Office, Penns Grove Police Department, Salem and Gloucester County Sheriff's Department's K-9 units, police said.
After securing the school and interviewing the two parties involved, the lockdown was lifted. Everyone was reported safe.
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"The district followed board policy and procedures based on the situation to ensure the safety and security of staff and students. Once we worked with the police and the prosecutor's office, there was no imminent threat," Cobian said.
A Carneys Point officer remained at the high school for the remainder of the day for extra security.
"School officials will be preparing a training for parents and students on the appropriate use of social media and the impact they have in the learning environment," Cobian added.
"We want to thank the office of the prosecutor and the Carneys Point chief of police and officers for diligence in assisting us in keeping our schools safe," the superintendent continued.
Police said social media talk was responsible for the incident. No charges were filed, according to VanNamee.
Social media has played a role in other school lockdown's in South Jersey, including an incident that occurred in Woolwich Township, Gloucester County, on Nov. 11.
A post on the school district's website and Facebook page led to a rumored shooting at Kingsway High School.
The incident stemmed from an anonymous post on Instagram. The alleged threat was deemed unsubstantial and harmless.
As a result, the school district is now looking at how students are using social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and how to educate the angers in inappropriate postings.
Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
