NJ school closure linked to Michigan State University shooting

EWING TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- Ewing Township police say all public and private schools were closed Tuesday due to a threat that was connected to the suspect involved in the mass shooting at Michigan State University. 

An investigation into the East Lansing, Michigan shooting led to a possible connection between 43-year-old Anthony McRae and Ewing, New Jersey. 

Police say a note was found in McRae's pocket "indicating a threat to two Ewing Public Schools." The district said the letter specifically mentioned Ewing High School and Fisher Middle School.

"The shooter had a note on him that specifically said there would violence carried out," Ewing Township Police Chief Al Rhodes said.

Further investigation found the incident was isolated to Michigan and there is no threat at Ewing schools. 

Police also say McRae has not lived in the area in several years.

"The shooter apparently had lived in Ewing Township at one time," Rhodes said, "and possibly attended Ewing schools."

McRae reportedly has a history of mental health issues.

Three students were killed and five others were critically wounded in a shooting at Michigan State University Monday night, authorities said.

McRae, who police said was the gunman, was later found dead in Lansing of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Students later recounted the terrifying moments that unfolded on the MSU campus.

All five Ewing Township public schools closed Tuesday morning "out of an abundance of caution," according to police.

Cafeteria worker Diane Turner was heading to Fisher Middle School when she learned of the threat.

"The world is scary. This is scary. I work for the schools," Turner said, "and we talk about all the time because they always have drills, you know shelter in place."

It's a similar feeling for parent Meesha Francis.

"Knowing that it was this close to home, it is pretty scary," Francis said, "and it's scary every day that I send my daughter to school."

Francis' 10-year-old daughter goes to one of the district's elementary schools.

She says she's thankful for the swift response from law enforcement.

"Having my child in school and not being able to know what's happening is even more stressful," Francis said. "I'm glad that they were able to send us an update and that everything is safe."

There are additional officers from Ewing police and other agencies at public and private schools.

"We will update this page as we get more information," the department said in a Facebook post. "The safety and security of our students is always paramount."

Some students were already arriving for the day when school officials made the announcement.

The department requested people stop calling the police seeking information.

The Trenton Public School District posted on its Facebook page early Tuesday morning with an update regarding the alleged safety threat.

The post reads in part, "The Trenton Police Department's Director learned that the alleged threat is not specific to schools in our district; however, additional officers will be patrolling schools throughout the day."  

School district officials have been in communication with Trenton Police Department and will continue to work with them to ensure the safety of their students and staff.

The news led to increased security measures at TCNJ as well. The college, which was not named in the threat, briefly required swipe access to academic buildings while the threat was under investigation.

The requirement was lifted after the investigation found no threat to the New Jersey area.

Classes at Ewing schools are expected to resume a normal schedule Wednesday, but not without additional police stationed outside.

Trenton Public School District and Hopewell Valley Regional School District will also have an increased police presence Wednesday.

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• Mercer County
• New Jersey
• School Closings
• Education