Five arrested following weapons incident at Montclair High School

Five people were arrested following a trespassing incident involving weapons at Montclair High School Monday afternoon.

Two juveniles - a 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy, both from Newark - were charged with defiant trespass. Dovon Williams, 21, of Orange, was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon. Almajid Johnson, 22, of Newark, was arrested on open warrants out of Newark, Plainfield and Burlington. Joshua Alcantara, 25, of Belleville, was arrested and charged with defiant trespass.

According to Police Lt. David O'Dowd, police were called to the school on a report of people trespassing on school property. The individuals were seen entering two vehicles in the area.

O'Dowd said that officers saw what was later determined to be a fake firearm in one of the vehicles, and that the occupants were found to be in possession of a large knife.

O'Dowd said Tuesday that the MPD was still investigating exactly why the individuals had come to the school from other towns.

Several parents reported via social media seeing up to a dozen police cars in the area of the high school at approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday.

“The high school and district have everything under control,” Interim Superintendent Barbara Pinsak said via email Tuesday. “We always err on the side of caution. As always, we appreciate the wisdom and care of the Montclair Police Department.”

-Erin Roll