Man Arrested After Plotting to Shoot Students at Graduation Ceremony in Ocean County

by Shore News Network

NEW EGYPT-The Plumsted Township Police Department are announcing the arrest of Matthew Vanderbeek, 19, of Cream Ridge, NJ. He is charged with 3rd degree Terroristic Threats with a Threat to Kill and 2nd degree Attempting to Possess a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose.

On 06/19/2018, Detective Anthony Ringle was called to investigate an alleged threat made by a New Egypt High School student to shoot students and staff at the school’s graduation ceremony. The investigation quickly identified Matthew Vanderbeek as the suspect who allegedly utilized social media to communicate his intention to shoot school students and staff. A search warrant was approved and authorized to search Vanderbeek’s Hyacinth Court residence to check for weapons, additional evidence of the crime and to attempt to seize any communications made via phone or computer.

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The search warrant and follow-up investigation verified the threats by Vanderbeek and found additionally that he was attempting to obtain a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he was lodged pending a detention hearing.

Assisting in this investigation was Det. Brant Uricks from the Ocean County Prosecutors office and Ocean County Sheriff CSI.

The Plumsted Township Police Department wants to make it clear that there is no present threat to the Plumsted Township School system or the graduation ceremony.


The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.


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