Linden High School Placed On Lockdown After Threat Posted On Instagram

LINDEN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New Jersey high school was placed on lockdown for several hours Tuesday after someone posted a threat on social media.

The lockdown at Linden High School started shortly after the threat was discovered on Instagram around 9 a.m. The initial posting contained a photo of a rifle placed over a car's steering wheel with the caption "11:36 AM."

Subsequent posts included threats, but no photos.

One read, "Shooting anyone who gets in my way..." followed by, "Do all your little drills I'm already in the building."

Another post read, "2nd floor goes first."

The final message sent from the account read, "Too many cops. Got till 12 to leave the building I'm blowing it up real simple. Go."

The lockdown was lifted at around 1 p.m. and students were dismissed early.

Students told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez that after being locked down for hours, it was a relief to be dismissed.

"I was really scared. I was really scared, terrified, but I'm glad nothing happened," Amajae Nesmith said.

Some parents said their children had sent them texts during the lockdown stating students were scared.

"I was a little bit scared, I was a little bit scared. I didn't know what was going to happen, what was going on," Jonathon Rivera said.

The school contacted students' families and with police, kept concerned parents across the street until it was clear of danger.

"The decision to put a school on lockdown is never made lightly," School Superintendent Danny Robertozzi said, "They were targeting a particular school, there was a particular time, and based on that information that decision was made."

Parents like Robin Carter waited anxiously for word from their children.

"She never texted me, and she's been this scared. So I took it serious, and I told her I would stay outside until I knew she was safe and she was coming home," Carter said.

Police searched the school extensively before lifting the lockdown.

"This investigation is very active, and for that reason we will not comment as to the specifics of the case other than to say we have conducted a thorough search of the school and are confident that the students and faculty are safe," said Linden Police Chief Jonathan Parham.

Police were still tracking down whomever is responsible for the threats, in the meantime Linden High School after-school activities are going on as scheduled.

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