A disturbing case has emerged from Galloway, where law enforcement seized multiple firearms and discovered bullets marked with individuals' names during a restraining order enforcement on April 12.
Lucas McCooley now faces multiple charges after police responded to his Galloway home to enforce a temporary restraining order. What officers found has raised serious concerns about public safety in our community.
Illegal Weapons and Chilling Threats
During the April 12 visit, authorities removed numerous firearms from the residence, including a black Palmetto semi-automatic rifle. Upon examination, investigators determined the weapon to be an illegal assault firearm under New Jersey law due to several features, including a detachable magazine and a pistol grip.
Perhaps most alarming, police discovered an HK-VP9 handgun loaded with 10 rounds in the magazine. Two of those rounds were inscribed with the names of two close friends of the victim, whose identities have been redacted in court documents. According to Jersey Shore Online, the names on the bullets referenced a school principal and a school board member.
The victim in the case provided police with audio recordings capturing McCooley making violent threats against individuals. In the recordings, McCooley can be heard saying, "If I see (redacted) here again, I will f***ing kill him" and "I will literally, literally go to his house and shoot him." He also stated he had bullets with their names on them.
Connection to Local School District
McCooley is the husband of Melissa McCooley, superintendent of Pineland Regional School in Ocean County. According to Jersey Shore Online, she has been on administrative leave since the board of education's March 23 meeting.
The school board stated that Melissa McCooley is on leave "to allow a proper review process to occur while ensuring stability and the continued operations of the district" and for disciplinary reasons. The district has emphasized its commitment to maintaining normal operations during this period.
Charges Filed
Lucas McCooley now faces three charges: knowingly possessing an assault firearm without being licensed, contempt of a court order, and harassment. These charges reflect the serious nature of the allegations and the potential threat posed to community members.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of taking threats seriously and the resources available to those experiencing domestic violence or threatening situations. Anyone who feels they or someone they know is in a domestic violence situation can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233), access resources online at TheHotline.org, or contact the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-572-SAFE (7233).
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to ensure the safety of all individuals involved and our broader community.
