New Jersey

Man Arrested at NJ School With Gun, Cache of Ammo Pleads Not Guilty

The suspect's brother said the whole situation is a "gigantic misunderstanding," adding his brother is bipolar and never intended to hurt anyone

What to Know

  • A Delaware man arrested outside a New Jersey elementary school with a loaded gun and additional ammunition has pleaded not guilty
  • Thomas Wilkie appeared appeared before a judge for the first time Wednesday in Elizabeth and was ordered held pending a medical evaluation
  • The suspect's brother said the situation is a "gigantic misunderstanding," adding his brother is bipolar and never intended to hurt anyone

A Delaware man arrested outside a New Jersey elementary school with a loaded gun and additional ammunition has pleaded not guilty to trespassing and several weapons offenses.

Thomas Wilkie of Bear appeared appeared before a judge for the first time Wednesday in Elizabeth and was ordered held pending a medical evaluation.

The 46-year-old Wilkie was arrested June 13 near the Tamaques school in Westfield after authorities in Delaware said a man was headed there and might be armed. Classes had concluded, but the school went on lockdown because children were participating in after-school activities.

Authorities said Wilkie had a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets and two more loaded clips of ammunition as well as 130 additional rounds in the trunk of his SUV.

Wilkie's brother said Wednesday the whole situation is a "gigantic misunderstanding," adding that his brother is bipolar and never intended to hurt anyone.

Jack Wilkie drove up from Delware with his parents to attend his brother's hearing, and said that Thomas did not go to the school to hurt anyone — but rather to meet someone he thought would help him "either financially or give him a place to stay."

It wasn't immediately clear whether Wilkie has an attorney.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us