Crime & Safety

Acting Prosecutor: Mass Casualty Plot "Non-Specific''

Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni walks back "Columbine" and "Newtown'' comparisons but says student will face charges.

Posted by Keith Brown (Editor)

A mass casualty plot dreamed up by a fifth grader to harm dozens of Intermediate School students posed no credible threat to the school district’s pupils, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said Friday.

Gramiccioni, whose office worked in conjunction with the Wall Township Police on an investigation that began in April when the student was enrolled at Central Elementary School, said the plot was “non-specific.’' 

But Gramiccioni said that the student, who is not being named by authorities, will be charged “very soon’’ in connection with the plot. He was not more specific about the timing or the charges.

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The student was removed from Central School after a note making generalized violent threats was brought to the attention of authorities. The student was not allowed back to the elementary school and was not allowed to attend the Intermediate School when classes began Thursday, authorities have said.

“It’s important to note the child did not have access to firearms and there were no steps that were taken to harm anyone in the schools,’’ he said.

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Earlier Friday, Wall Township police described the plot, uncovered after investigators seized a computer in the student’s home, as “elaborate,’’ saying it was similar to a “Columbine or Newtown’’ plan.

Gramiccioni said that charicterization was inaccurate. He blamed law enforcement miscommunication. 

“I think there was probably an internal miscommunication among law enforcement agencies,’’ Gramiccioni said. “Families in and around Wall should realize that there’s not a specific and credible danger in schools in town.”

Gramiccioni said the student’s plot was “not an elaborate plan but a general idea by a fifth grader who did not have the capacity to carry out any of the interests he conveyed.’’

Wall Township Police Lt. John Brockriede said earlier Friday much the same thing. 

“We believe it was more of a fantasy-type thing he had,’’ Brockriede said. “Not something he was capable of actually carrying out." 

Brockriede also said that while a relative of the student had weapons, the student at no time during the investigation had access to them.

A note from Interim schools Superintendent Stephanie Bilenker, addressing the investigation was sent to parents on Wednesday – the day before schools opened – to tamp parents’ concerns about the safety of their children.

“Please be advised and assured that law enforcement and school officials are taking every step necessary to ensure the safety of all of its students as well as addressing the needs of the juvenile suspect,” the letter reads. “The matter is currently under investigation and juvenile charges are anticipated in the very near future.”

Bilenker in the letter says the district is taking extra security precautions in light of the potential threat. She was not more specific.

A call to Bilenker’s office was not returned Friday.

Brockriede said parents should be assured that their children were safe during the investigation and praised the cooperation between the school district and the police.

“We’ve done everything in our power and the schools have done everything in their power to make sure their kids are safe,’’ Brockriede has said.


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