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Montclair schools closed after staff member posts threat on social media, New Jersey police say

Montclair, N.J. schools to reopen Tuesday after online threat closed them on Monday
Montclair, N.J. schools to reopen Tuesday after online threat closed them on Monday 01:55

MONTCLAIR, N.J. -- Students in Montclair, New Jersey will be back in the classroom Tuesday, after a threat forced the entire district to be closed Monday.

Police said one man is now in custody after making an online threat, adding that suspect worked for the district.

Montclair police said they were alerted Sunday night that the threat was posted on social media and directed at a specific staff member at Northeast Elementary School. Police said another school staff member, who was on administrative leave from the district, posted the threat.

At around 8 a.m. on Monday, 45-year-old Amir Doctry was arrested at a home in Philadelphia and charged with terroristic threats.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the FBI are assisting with the investigation. More charges against the suspect are pending.

Parents, students were caught off guard on Monday morning

Parents in Montclair woke up to a Monday morning surprise. They received a notice from the district at around 5 a.m. The message was vague, but it let families know school would be closed due to a "security concern."

"And it was kind of opaque. We didn't really know what was happening. It was a bit of a panic in our house," parent Eric Felisbret said.

However, the news of an arrest later in the day relieved some of the tension, though concerns remain.

"I think it was enough that it really scared the administration of the town, so I'm glad they decided to protect the kids," Montclair resident Lisa Sackman said.

"This is not the first time something like this has happened in this town, and it has certainly happened in every town. So it's pretty horrifying knowing that there's not anything we can do as parents to keep them safe," resident Julie Margolis added.

Police said there is no further danger to the community.

"I was a little bit concerned, to be honest. It helped a lot that they said they neutralized the threat," Montclair High School junior Sol Demefack said.

Demefack said he was hoping to make the most of the surprise day off.

"I think I'm just going to spend the day doing homework, practicing for soccer and track, and try to catch up on some work," he said.

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