A tense situation at Westfield High School concluded safely on Tuesday after a lockdown prompted by a written threat discovered on a desk. Law enforcement conducted a thorough, hours-long search of the campus and found no weapon or credible danger, allowing students to be dismissed at their normal time.
The incident began late Tuesday morning when a school official reported suspicious writing, which suggested the presence of a firearm, to the on-site School Resource Officer. The school was immediately placed on lockdown as a multi-agency law enforcement response was initiated.
Key Takeaways
- A lockdown was initiated at Westfield High School at 11:31 a.m. Tuesday after a written threat was found on a desk.
- An extensive search by multiple law enforcement agencies, including canine units, found no firearm or any other threat.
- The lockdown was lifted at 2:49 p.m., coinciding with the end of the regular school day.
- An investigation into the source of the threat is currently active and being led by the Westfield Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau.
Immediate Lockdown and Multi-Agency Response
The report of the threat was made at approximately 11:31 a.m. School officials and law enforcement acted swiftly, securing the building and initiating established safety protocols. The lockdown confined students and staff to their classrooms while police began a systematic search of the expansive high school campus.
The scale of the law enforcement response highlighted the seriousness of the situation. According to Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro, a total of 16 Westfield police officers and detectives were on the scene. They received assistance from officers from the neighboring Garwood and Fanwood Police Departments, as well as detectives from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.
As a precautionary measure, all elementary and intermediate schools in the Westfield Public Schools district were placed under a shelter-in-place order. Katherine Ernst, a spokesperson for the district, confirmed that instruction continued inside classrooms during this period.
A Methodical and Thorough Search Operation
Chief Battiloro described the search of the large high school building as a "time-consuming process." Teams of officers and detectives methodically cleared every room, searching both the spaces and their occupants to ensure no threat was overlooked.
To guarantee the security of the campus, larger common areas such as cafeterias and gymnasiums were subjected to a second search by canine units from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, specially trained to detect firearms.
During the nearly three-and-a-half-hour lockdown, emergency medical services were also on standby. The Westfield Rescue Squad assessed four students who experienced pre-existing medical concerns, but authorities confirmed that none required hospitalization or further medical transport. Support for the scene operations was also provided by the Westfield Fire Department.
Community Leaders Praise Calm and Cooperation
By 2:49 p.m., the search was complete, and with no threat found, the lockdown was lifted. The timing allowed for a normal dismissal at the end of the school day. Following the event, community and school leaders praised the response from students, staff, and law enforcement.
“Our safety protocols functioned as intended, and we commend our students and staff for their calm and professional response,” said school spokesperson Katherine Ernst.
She also noted that counseling services would be made available to students and staff. In the coming days, an increased and visible police presence will be maintained at district schools to provide reassurance to the community.
Parental Concerns and Official Reassurance
At a town council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Jeremy Berman acknowledged the anxiety such events cause for families. “As a parent of two school aged children, I know how upsetting these incidents can be,” he stated. The mayor thanked the school district for its partnership and praised the students, staff, and parents for their patience and cooperation during the stressful event.
Chief Battiloro reaffirmed the department's commitment to school safety. “We take the safety and security of our schools extremely seriously, and any and all security threats will always be thoroughly and completely investigated,” he said in a statement.
Investigation Remains Active
While the immediate danger has passed, the investigation into the origin of the threat is ongoing. The case has been assigned to detectives from the Westfield Police Department’s Juvenile Bureau, who are actively working to identify the person responsible for the writing.
Authorities are asking for the public's help. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Dennis DaSilva of the Westfield Police Department. He can be reached by telephone at 908-789-6085 or via e-mail at [email protected].