Armed Shooting Suspect ID'd As 19-Year-Old Hillsborough Man: Prosecutor

New details on the shooting can be found here.

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A 19-year-old from Hillsborough has been identified as the armed man who led authorities on a five-hour search and prompted schools to lock down as a precaution on Tuesday.

Dawan Jeter, 19, Hillsborough, was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree endangering another person, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

On Tuesday, at around 1 p.m., Hillsborough Township Police went to the area 649 Route 206 near Hillsborough Centre south of Amwell Road for reports of shots fired.

Eyewitnesses described the alleged shooter and the alleged victim, who had run away before police arrived, said McDonald.

Hillsborough Township Officers set up a perimeter around the area and began a search with the help of detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes, Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Somerset County Sheriff’s Officers, Somerset County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit.

As a precaution, authorities placed area schools in a secure hold and told local residents and businesses to use caution.

"It is critical to clarify that this incident did not occur on any school property or grounds but within the surrounding Township. Our immediate action was purely precautionary," said Superintendent Michael Volpe.

The lockdown was lifted at the schools around 3:15 p.m., and students were able to be dismissed. After-school activities were canceled. However, some school bus stops were impacted due to road closures during the manhunt. As a result, some students were taken back to the school to be picked up by their parents.

Authorities were able to find and speak to the 19-year-old victim, who was not injured, said McDonald.

The alleged shooter was identified as Jeter, and a Superior Court Search Warrant was granted for his home. However, he was not inside.

Authorities were told that Jeter was on his way to the Hillsborough Police Department to turn himself in, said McDonald.

At around 5:56 p.m., Jeter surrendered without incident to Hillsborough Police.

Jeter was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter. All alarms were cancelled once Jeter was in police custody.

"Police have apprehended the suspect, and there is no danger or threat to the community," said Hillsborough Police in an update around 6:05 p.m.

McDonald commended the quick and decisive police response, ensuring that residents, visitors, and school children were safe as law enforcement searched for Jeter.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-231-7100 or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at 908-369-4313 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and tips will be kept confidential.

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