Brief Lockdown At Ocean County College Is Over

TOMS RIVER, NJ - Toms River police briefly put Ocean County College on lockdown on Wednesday afternoon while they investigated the possibility of hunters with firearms in nearby woods, spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

"We believe that’s who they were," Stocco said. "It is not uncommon to have “poachers” in there trespassing. Many years ago, it was legal there but not in recent times."

The lockdown went into effect at 3:20 p.m. and was rescinded shortly after 4 p.m., he said.

"After a thorough search of the campus and surrounding wooded area, no suspicious persons were located," Stocco said. "We are confident that there is no credible threat in the area."

The campus was secured out of "an abundance of caution," he said.

Photo: Patch file photo