Kinnelon Police Investigate Potentially Threatening Facebook Statement

Kinnelon High School was not at risk Friday after some parents became concerned Thursday over a Facebook post made by one student, Kinnelon Police said.

Det. Matthew Solari said he was not able to reveal the statement the student, whose name was not released, made on Facebook since it had an identifying name in it.

"It almost seems like it could be just a personal statement to everybody," Solari said. "To me, it's the way the person felt about whatever they had going on at the time with the school."

Superintendent James Opiekun said the school district was notified Thursday night and considered the statement substantial enough that it needed to be investigated.

"What I can say is that it was a generalized comment," he said. "It wasn't specific and I think it was much more general in nature, without being very specific, about how something could happen or where it might happen."

Solari said Det. David Crouthamel and Ptl. Christopher Mucci went to the home of the student Thursday night and spoke with the parents and the student. The student explained the meaning of the statement and authorities determined that there was no longer a threat, police said.

As a precaution, the school district sent out an email alert Friday that read, "Last evening we were informed by the Kinnelon Police there was a concern raised about a statement posted on Facebook by one of our students.The student and family have been visited by the police and are completing an investigation. As a precaution Kinnelon police did visit the school this morning. Appropriate steps have been taken to assure the safety of students and staff. We have no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat to our students’ safety."

Opiekun said Friday the district wanted to inform parents that they were taking precautions. "We wanted to make sure that there was no potential for harm," he said. Solari said police went to the high school Friday morning and stood in the entranceway monitoring students just in case.

Dr. Wayne Merckling said Friday, "It was a quiet day."