Violent Threats Against Union County Schools Made In Wake Of Charlie Kirk Assassination, Police Say

LINDEN, NJ — All of Linden Public Schools were placed under a shelter-in-place on Thursday after they were flooded with threats of violence following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Now, police are debunking claims that a Linden Public Schools employee is responsible for comments on social media regarding the shooting on Wednesday in Utah. "The individual referred to is not, nor has ever been, an employee of Linden Public Schools," said Linden Police Captain Christopher Guenther. Police are working with the schools to further evaluate these threats.

While the shelter-in-place has been lifted, parents can expect to see a heightened, visible police presence at all of the district's schools on Thursday. Patch has reached out to Linden Police for additional information and will bring you further updates as this story develops.

Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old "Turning Point" media host, cofounder and conservative activist, was killed by a single shot on Wednesday at Utah Valley University during a stop on his "Prove Me Wrong" tour. A manhunt is still underway as of Thursday afternoon for the shooter. Officials have since released new images showing a person of interest, and confirmed a high-powered rifle has been found in a nearby wooded area.