Updated 4:18 p.m. A Maplewood Middle School student was taken into police custody this afternoon for possession of a handgun at school. Read more here.
The South Orange-Maplewood School District reports that a code red lockdown at the school was ordered this afternoon on suspicion of a “potential weapon threat.” A district communication (see below) stated that school administration contacted the Maplewood Police who initiated the code, conducted a search and apprehended a student.
It is still unclear whether of not there was a weapon at the school and, if so, what that weapon was. Village Green has reached out to the MPD and the school district for further information and will update this story when that information is received.
The district communication reads as follows:
To the MMS Community,
This afternoon, a code red “lockdown” was ordered at Maplewood Middle School. Nobody was harmed during this event. The lockdown has been lifted, and students have resumed their academic day.
School administration became aware of a potential weapon threat involving a student. The administration notified the Maplewood Police who then initiated the code red as a precautionary measure.
The police conducted an organized search of the building and one student was apprehended. The police will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this event.
We appreciate the cooperation of the police department, the staff, the students and the building administrators. Parents and guardians of our students can be assured that the school administration works closely with and cooperates fully with law enforcement during such an event. The safety of our staff and students remains our first priority.
