LAKEWOOD – A Lakewood man has been arrested and charged with one count of Terroristic Threats after he made reference to a mass shooting in a Facebook post, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.
Detective Raymond Coles of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) arrested 42-year old Shane Steele of Lakewood on March 9.
The investigation into Steele began after a report that suggested he had written and posted on social media a message conveying intent to shoot up the “March For Our Lives” rally, which is meant to draw attention to the need for stricter gun laws.
A civilian reported this alleged threat to the Manalapan Police Department back on February 19.
The investigation included a search of Steele’s home which found no firearms in his possession. Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kristin Pressman of the OCPO reviewed the evidence from the investigation, approving the charge of Terroristic Threats against Steele.
Steele has since been released on a summons to answer the charge at a future date.
Assisting in the investigation were personnel from The Lakewood Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Manalapan Police Department, South Brunswick Police Department, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
