Suspect Caught After 'Targeted' Shooting Incident In NJ Town, Officials Say

INDEPENDENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Officials say they have a man in custody after a shooting Thursday morning which prompted a shelter-in-place for part of a northwestern New Jersey community.

The Warren County Prosecutor's Office said police were called to a shooting incident at around 8:19 a.m. on Alphano Road in Independence Township. New Jersey State Police and a team from the prosecutor's office responded to search for a suspect.

People in the area were briefly asked to shelter in place, and police asked drivers to avoid the road. Nearby residents were also asked to report any suspicious activity.

The suspected shooter, a male, had left the immediate area by 10 a.m. and officials said he was no longer a direct threat to the community.

"This was a targeted act and we do not believe that the community is in harm's way," police said.

The as-yet unidentified suspect was later caught in Pennsylvania, police said shortly before noon. In a statement, the prosecutor's office only said a suspect was in custody, and did not release further information.

Local radio station WRNJ-FM reported that a state police helicopter was assisting in the search for the suspect. The WRNJ report, citing police radio traffic, mentioned a shooting at a residence near the Allamuchy Township border.

Alphano Road has since reopened.

Independence Township Police said they would release more information when they are able to do so.