Threat At Cherry Hill West Was 'Generic': Police

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Cherry Hill police are on the scene at Cherry Hill West investigating a non-credible threat that was posted online, police said Tuesday morning.

Staff at the school were notified of the threat Tuesday morning, and immediately contacted Campus Police, Director of Security Anthony Saporito and the Cherry Hill Police Department, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Meloche said in a letter to the community.

Cherry Hill police are investigating the non-specific threat at this time, Meloche said. Although a student notified staff at Cherry Hill High School West, the school was not the target of the threat, which Lt.John Moyer said was "generic."

"It looks like a Snapchat text," Moyer said. "The threat is not specific. There is no lockdown in place, but we are on the scene and there is an increase in patrols."

“The social media message is the same message that has been seen by other school districts throughout the State of New Jersey, and it has been deemed a non-credible threat by other agencies,” Meloche said. “However, all of us in the Cherry Hill Public Schools and our local law enforcement take these matters seriously and are conducting a full investigation to ensure the continued safety of our school community.”

A similar threat was made involving Washington Township High School last week. In that situation, the district received a message that read, "There will be a gun in the school tomorrow. It will be fired quarter after 12. I am warning you because you don't deserve this. I'm sorry, but if you go, you could get shot."

Moyer said the message received in Cherry Hill was the same. Similar threats have come in other parts of the state in the aftermath of the school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan earlier this month. There was also one reported at Bridgewater-Raritan High School on Tuesday.

Students at Lindenwold High School and at Lawrence Township High School in Mercer County were recently caught bringing guns to school, as well.

“Student and staff safety is our top priority,” Meloche said. “Specific protocols are followed in response to any threat to ensure a safe environment in our schools.”

Meloche said the district will share any additional information that becomes available with the public.

“To better assist school officials and law enforcement with our investigation, please encourage your children to share any information they may have with a school official,” Meloche said. “Voicing concerns in this manner helps us all keep each other safe.”

See related: Cherry Hill Super Talks Safety, Support After Michigan Shooting