Reported gunshots prompt lockdown
N.B. police believe hunter may have been near school grounds
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

A man led police on a wild turkey chase Monday, prompting North Brunswick Township High School and Judd Elementary School to be locked down because a hunter was reportedly seen and heard in the area.

At approximately 8:40 a.m., police received a call regarding suspicious activity in the woods between the Society Hill North residential complex and the high school, mainly that three gunshot blasts had been heard, according to Police Director Kenneth McCormick. There were also reports of someone exiting the woods with a long rifle, he said.

As a precautionary measure, the two local schools were locked down while police officers and K-9 units searched the area, specifically around the reported area of Constitution Circle. At approximately 10:53 a.m. the lockdown was lifted when police deemed the area safe for school activity.

"We believe it was a hunter, although we were not able to find that person or identify him," McCormick said, noting it was the beginning of open season for wild turkeys last weekend. "There was no threat at the school. ... This was merely a precautionary measure because it [was located] in the wooded area behind the school."

The other three elementary schools and middle school in town were under a "heightened alert," and were allowed to pursue their normal school activities without going outside of the building.

"I think we're acting appropriately. ... The probability is one in a million, but in cases such as a threat of harm or danger, we have to be perfect even in that one-in-a-million chance. Let's lock them down and keep track of them," Schools Superintendent Brian Zychowski said.

No description of the suspect was available, nor was any weapon found, according to police. Hunting is allowed in North Brunswick as long as the hunter is approximately 450 feet from a residential dwelling. There are no prohibition signs posted in the area around the high school, according to Police Lt. Roger Reinson.

This incident occurred less than two weeks after a lockdown situation at the high school on April 18, in which a 15-year-old female reportedly left a voice message on the principal's office phone overnight saying she was going to "shoot up" the school. The high school was secured for nearly four hours and police searched room by room for a possible gunman. It was later determined that the phone call was a hoax.

Although last time parents were extremely displeased with the lack of communication and the rampant miscommunication surrounding the incident, this time Zychowski said contact efforts were "excellent." Cable Channel 22 had a banner, the district Web site was constantly updated, an e-mail blast was sent out and letters were sent home with the kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

"In an era of heightened awareness, we have to live by the credo that we have to pursue perfection, even if the only way to pursue perfection is at the highest level of a threat," Zychowski said.