Bullet goes through window of daycare center in East Orange

EAST ORANGE (WABC) -- An investigation is underway at a daycare center in New Jersey after the director reported a bullet coming through the cafeteria window.

The incident happened around 11 a.m. at the One Step Ahead Learning Center, which cares for infants through first graders, in East Orange.

Director Marlene Mack says the bullet came through the window while about 38 students were there having lunch. It shattered the window and the shade, then hit a wall before falling to the floor.

Mack says staff immediately followed protocol, got the kids out of the cafeteria and called police.

"Safety is first, and that's what we did," she said. "We immediately removed them and took them to a place, and let them kind of dance and have a little bit of fun while police were here doing their investigation."

Authorities reportedly told Mack that it appeared someone had shot a gun in the area, likely up in the air, and that the bullet came through the window.

No one was injured, and it is not believed the shots were fired at the school.

The school notified parents of the incident and cleaned up the scene.

"To actually be out here shooting guns or doing whatever in the area with these children, there's another day care right behind there, so it could be your relative you are injuring," parent Lyvette Washington said. "So that's very sad."

No one was sent home early as a result, and regular dismissal procedure was followed in the afternoon.