Man Fired Rifle Shots, Barricaded Himself Inside Neptune Township Home

A Neptune Township man is facing charges of terroristic threats, weapons offenses and aggravated assault, after he fired shots in his residence and then barricaded himself inside, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

Neptune Township police responded to a 911 call at 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 about shots fired and a barricaded subject inside 10 Ridge Avenue, he said.

The Monmouth County Emergency Response Team (MOCERT) responded to the scene along with surrounding agencies and hostage negotiators, who convinced Bruce Rice, 33, to surrender, Gramicionni said.

A 12 gauge shotgun and 6 spent shotgun shells were located inside the residence, he said.

Rice is charged with fourth degree aggravated assault, fourth degree obstruction, third degree terroristic threats, third degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and second degree certain persons not to possess a Firearm.

Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O'Brien Kilgallen set Rice's bail at $300,000 cash. He is lodged in the Monmouth County Jail.

Kilgallen also ordered Rice not to return to the scene and to have no victim contact, Gramiccioni said.

Image: Patch file photo.