Security Incident at Bergen County Technical Institute After Security Guard’s Firearm Goes Missing, Student Charged

A private technical institute in Bergen County, New Jersey, faced a brief security scare after a security guard accidentally left his firearm unattended in a restroom, leading to a campus lockdown and a police investigation that ended with a student being charged, authorities said.

According to Paramus police, the incident happened Wednesday morning at Lincoln Technical Institute when a 53-year-old security guard reported that his semiautomatic handgun was missing. The guard had been using a men’s restroom around 9:20 a.m. and unintentionally left his Glock 43 9mm handgun inside a stall. After realizing the weapon was not in his possession, he alerted authorities around 11:40 a.m.

As a precaution, school officials placed the campus under a brief lockdown while law enforcement responded to the situation. Authorities emphasized that there was no active threat to students, staff, or the public during the incident.

Police began an immediate investigation, reviewing security camera footage and speaking with individuals on campus to determine what happened to the missing firearm. This inquiry led investigators to identify an 18-year-old student believed to have found the weapon and taken it off school property.

Later that same day, detectives were able to recover the firearm. It was found around 9 p.m. inside a backpack located in Elmwood Park, according to police statements.

Following the investigation, the student identified as Jayden Y. Combs of Elmwood Park was charged in connection with the case. Court records show he faces second-degree charges for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree theft.

Authorities have not released additional details regarding legal representation for the accused.

The case has raised concerns about firearm handling protocols and safety procedures in school environments, especially in settings where security personnel are assigned to protect students and staff. Police have not indicated any further threats connected to the incident, and the investigation appears to be focused on the circumstances surrounding how the weapon was left unattended and subsequently taken.

Sources:
Paramus Police Department
Bergen County Law Enforcement Statements
Court Records, New Jersey Judiciary