The man accused of bringing a gun and ammunition to a Westfield elementary school appeared in court today.

Thomas Wilkie was arrested last Thursday outside Tamaques Elementary School. He has been in Union County Jail since that arrest.

Police from Delaware called officers in New Jersey on a tip that Wilkie was headed to the school and was armed.

New Jersey police found Wilkie on school property holding a loaded handgun with 130 more rounds of ammunition in the trunk of his car. Authorities allege that he showed up to confront someone who worked at the school.

The defendant's brother was in court and says the incident is all a big misunderstanding. He says Wilkie was at the school to see a friend but never intended to shoot anyone.

The incident prompted Westfield schools to tighten security.

Superintendent  of Westfield Public Schools, Dr. Margaret Dolan, says the doors will remain locked at all times until at least the end of this school year as administrators work with a security company for better district policies.

They also plan to have increased police presence at middle school and high school graduations.