HACKENSACK—The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of a 14-year-old Bergen County juvenile for posting a threatening message on TikTok that targeted Bergen Community College. The Dec. 6 post, which referenced plans to “shoot up” the college on Dec. 16, led to an intensive investigation involving the Bergen County Cyber Crimes Task Force, which includes the Woodcliff Lake Police Department.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Threat Management Unit, along with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, and local police departments, tracked the online threat to the juvenile’s residence. On Dec. 13, detectives executed a search warrant and took the juvenile into protective custody.
The individual faces charges of second-degree false public alarm and third-degree terroristic threats. The juvenile was released to a guardian pending proceedings in the Bergen County Superior Court Family Law Division.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella emphasized that the charges are accusations, and the individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Musella extended his gratitude to the Woodcliff Lake and Waldwick Police Departments for their pivotal roles in the Cyber Crimes Task Force and the investigation.