A Montclair School District teacher was arrested on Monday after police say he made an online threat against another staff member. That threat then prompted the closure of all Montclair schools for the day.
Montclair police say 45-year-old Amir Doctry is the person responsible for the threats. They say it came via social media on Sunday and was specifically directed at a staff member at Northeast Elementary School.
Doctry's alleged motives are unclear at this time, but according to his social posts, he may have been vying for the superintendent position. It is currently an open position and there is an active search.
According to police, Doctry was on administrative leave but the district could not comment on the reason.
News 12 did speak with interim school Superintendent Damen Cooper, who says Doctry was hired just four months ago in September of 2024. Out of an abundance of caution, police presence has been kicked up around all schools in the district.
"We are focused on the safety of our students and staff and making sure that we can get back to normal and providing appropriate supports for our students and staff as they enter school tomorrow,” Cooper said.
Doctry was taken into custody Monday morning in Philadelphia. He was charged with making terroristic threats.
Additional charges are pending, according to officials.