Camden Middle School locked down on report of student with gun

NEWARK, NJ — Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports that students and school personnel at Camden Middle School, located at 321 Bergen Street, were under lockdown for several hours on Thursday, Nov. 10, due to a report of a student with a handgun at the school.

Earlier this week, a group of students were involved in a physical altercation which continued as a verbal dispute on social media throughout the week.  Shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, school officials were informed that a student had entered the building armed with a gun. Immediately after being alerted to the allegation, the school’s principal ordered the school to be locked down and reported the incident to Newark police.

The student alleged to have the gun was searched and no weapon was found.

The principal initiated an early dismissal as a precaution and school officials searched students upon exiting the building. No weapons were found during dismissal.

Members of the Newark Police Division and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office K-9 officers conducted a thorough search of the building. No weapon was recovered, but a small cigarette lighter fashioned in the shape of a gun was recovered inside the school. No injuries were reported.

Major Crimes detectives of the Newark Police Division are continuing the investigation.

  Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose