HOLMDEL — ApproximaE-mail threat

evacuates 2 schools

Sophomore charged

with creating false

public alarm

By darlene diebold

Staff Writertely 1,000 students were evacuated from Holmdel High School and the William R. Satz Intermediate School on Thursday because of a bomb threat e-mailed to high school Principal Elizabeth Keshish.

According to a news release from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office, a 14-year-old sophomore was arrested Thursday evening, almost 24 hours after the message was sent, for making terroristic threats and creating a false public alarm. Authorities seized a computer from the boy’s home to be used as evidence.

"We had received a bomb threat that was credible," Keshish said in an interview on Monday. "I saw the message at 6:20 a.m. and immediately called the Police Department and then the superintendent. I made a decision not to let anyone inside the school."

Two bomb-sniffing dogs searched the two adjoining schools, and two hours later, after nothing was found, students were allowed back inside. During the evacuation, students and staff waited on the football field.

"Of course I was very concerned, and that is why we acted conservatively," Keshish said. "It wasn’t until someone was apprehended that I was able to relax. The students knew that something was wrong, but we had no idea if it was one or more students, so we did not want to tip our hands and say anything."

On Friday, Keshish mailed a letter home to school parents alerting them to what had happened on Thursday.

"We will always take the conservative approach and make sure the building is safe before we allow students or staff to enter," she said.

Keshish expressed her gratitude to the Holmdel Police Department and county sheriff’s department for working together and arresting the subject promptly.

"It was excellent police work and investigation that brought about this quick resolution," she said.

The juvenile faces up to two years in the New Jersey State Training School for Boys in Monroe on each charge if convicted, according to the sheriff’s office. He remained in custody at the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center in Freehold Township on Monday and was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday afternoon for a probable cause hearing.