'Westfield Is Not Immune To Violence' Police Say After Texas Tragedy

WESTFIELD, NJ — Following the mass shooting that took place at a school in Ulvade, Texas on Tuesday, Westfield Police released a statement, explaining that Westfield is "not immune to such violence."

Police reminded the community of an incident that occurred at Tamaques Elementary School on June 13, 2019 when a Delaware man was reportedly en route to the school and potentially armed.

Westfield officers later found the man, identified as Thomas J. Wilkie, sitting in the front seat of his car, parked in the school's parking lot, holding a .45-caliber handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets. Two additional loaded clips of ammunition and a folding knife were recovered from Wilkie's person, while 130 additional rounds of ammunition were located in the vehicle's trunk.

Wilkie was indicted on six weapons offenses in Oct. of 2019 by Union County prosecutors.

Read more: Man Who Had Gun At Westfield Elementary Indicted On 6 Charges

According to New Jersey Department of Corrections records, Wilkie was just recently released from custody on May 14.

Westfield Police wrote on Facebook Wednesday that because of the swift response and effective actions of Westfield officers, "a tragedy was most certainly averted."

Since that incident, police said the Westfield Public School District has implemented much stricter security procedures, which prevent unauthorized persons from entry into schools.

"I have communicated with Dr. Gonzalez, our Superintendent of Schools, and have reasserted to him that all school administrators, faculty and staff, as well as parents and students, must precisely adhere to these enhanced protective measures at all times and without any exceptions," Chief Christopher Battiloro wrote.

Battiloro said since 2019, officers have been proactively patrolling all Westfield schools, which includes unannounced physical security checks of each and every school, several times a day.

After Tuesday's massacre in Texas, Battiloro said officers were directed to be "even more conspicuous" when it comes to school safety.

Westfield Police advises residents to remain alert and be vigilant at all times. People are encouraged to report any and all suspicious persons, vehicles and/or activities immediately to the Westfield Police Department via 9-1-1.