LINDEN — A threat made via Instagram has put a Central Jersey high school on lockdown Tuesday morning.

The lockdown was put in place at 9:30 a.m. and was lifted at 1 p.m at the school on  West Georges Avenue, according to Linden Police, after the threats was discovered. A heavy police presence remains on campus.

Class was dismissed for the day after the lockdown was lifted at 1:15 p.m. although students were given the opportunity to eat lunch.

"This investigation is very active, and for that reason we will not comment as to the specifics of the case other than to say we have conducted a thorough search of the school and are confident that the students and faculty are safe," Chief Jonathan Parham said in a statement. He did not specify if an arrest has been made.

According to News 12 New Jersey, the message included a picture of a rifle taken in a car and a message threatening to shoot up the high school at 11:36 a.m. The person making the threat identified themselves in the post and said they were already in the school.

"Everyone makes shooting threats toward Linden High School and it never happens. I will make your wish come true. The freshman, the sophomores, the juniors the seniors. I hate Linden. I want to see you all suffer. My name is (redacted) and I will shoot up your school at 11:36 a.m. Do all of your little drills. I'm already in the building," read the message, according to News 12.

The photo was posted on an Instagram account called "lhslasthours." The picture does not appear to have been taken Tuesday. The car's dashboard shows a temperature in the 70s and greenery can be seen in the background through the windshield. Tuesday was cold and snowy.

Police issued an alert about the incident and asked everyone to stay away from the school and instructed parents to go to Cooper Field at Dewitt Street and West Curtis Street, which is located several blocks from the school.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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