Report of intruder leads to investigation at Village Elementary School in Monmouth

HOLMDEL, N.J. (WABC) -- Village Elementary School in Holmdel was on secure mode as police responded to a report of an armed intruder Tuesday morning.

Just before 11 a.m., the district received a call that an armed man was somewhere on school grounds. SWAT and law enforcement from several nearby towns closed roads and descended on the school, leaving no stone unturned.

Vincent Dene watched the situation unfold knowing that his son was inside.

"I get here and saw it surrounded with police," he said. "And I wanted to go in, but you can't."

There were armed police officers on the roof of the school, and sheriff's office officials were on the scene with K-9s and guns drawn.

No one with a gun was located, and there was no apparent danger to student and staff, according to officials. All students and faculty were safely evacuated and the classrooms cleared at the pre-K to third-grade school, with no injuries reported.

The investigation continues into what appears to be a hoax.

"It's probably the worst feeling a parent can have," mom Christine Gallinaro said.

One board member, also a parent, said the district received a threatening phone call that led to the school going into secure mode, which means nobody can get in or out of the school, and teachers continue teaching.

After hours of combing the grounds, with no threat discovered, the all clear was given, and parents begin to take the children home.

"As a parent, not knowing what's going on, even though they were saying the kids are safe, we just wanted to get her and hug her," mom Dana Applegate said.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office also was on the scene.