By: Richard L. Smith
Monmouth County officials said shortly after midnight on Tuesday, July 23, the Monmouth University Police Department received alarming reports that students and faculty had been emailed by an individual claiming to be armed and hiding on campus with a dangerous device allegedly placed on the premises.
A lockdown order was promptly issued, instructing everyone on campus to shelter in place.
The Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT) was activated, with support from the Prosecutor's Office, the Monmouth County Rapid Deployment Force (RDF), the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office, and police departments from Asbury Park, Deal, Long Branch, Manasquan, Marlboro, Ocean Township, and West Long Branch.
Law enforcement conducted a thorough search of university buildings, and a preliminary investigation revealed no evidence supporting the claims made in the email.
Shortly after 8:30 a.m., an all-clear alert was issued to the campus, and law enforcement cleared the scene.
The investigation into the origin of the threatening email is ongoing.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact MCPO Detective Daniel Chernavsky at 800-533-7443 or Monmouth University Police Department Detective Tracy Carretta at 732-571-4444.