Man Shot At Secaucus Police Officers On County Ave. Sunday Night: PD

SECAUCUS, NJ — Here is the full story of the shooting Sunday night on County Avenue, where Secaucus Police told residents in a Facebook post to shelter in place and avoid the area, as a man with a gun was being sought:

Dhanraj Dass, 59, a Jersey City resident, works as a mechanic for the Peter Pan bus company at 25 County Avenue. After a woman called 911 on him, and police responded, Secaucus Police say he started firing at them Sunday night from inside the bus shop.

Secaucus Police were first called to the Peter Pan bus building (25 County Avenue) at 7:45 p.m. Sunday, for a report that a woman's phone had been taken from her by an acquaintance. The woman said the acquaintance, Dass, also threatened her with a handgun while she was inside the building.

At approximately 8:47 p.m. Secaucus Police sergeants Joseph Fuardo and Peter Maraldo located a man fitting the description provided by the woman sitting in an open doorway of 25 County Avenue. As the uniformed sergeants approached, they observed a handgun protrude out of the doorway.

The man, later identified as Dass, fired one round at the uniformed sergeants, said police. As Maraldo moved to assume a position with a better tactical advantage, Dass fired a second round at him, said police. Dass then retreated inside the building, and Secaucus patrol officers began to establish a perimeter around the location while a request was made for the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team.

Before the perimeter could be established, Secaucus Police officers observed Dass exit from a different door of the building. He was taken into custody. However, police found no gun on him when they arrested him. Secaucus Police also did not know if there additional suspects. So, a mutual aid request was broadcast to surrounding towns to secure a perimeter around the Peter Pan bus building.

A shelter in place was also ordered to residents. Little League games and other sports on the nearby Shetik baseball fields also ended early and people were told to go home. Employees working in the area were also evacuated.

The Hudson County SWAT team then cleared the 25 County Avenue building of additional suspects. A Smith & Wesson .40 caliber handgun was found inside, along with other evidence related to the shooting, said police.

The handgun had been stolen out of Texas.

Dass was charged with two counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Murder [2C:5-1a(1)/2C:11-3a(1)], Aggravated Assault [2C:12-1b(9)], Terroristic Threats [2C:12-3a], Unlawful Possession of a Handgun [2C:39-5b(1)], Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose [2C:39-4a(1)], Receiving Stolen Property [2C:20-7] and Unlawful Possession of Handgun Ammunition [2C:58-3.3b].

“This incident highlights the danger our police officers face on a daily basis and I am so grateful none of them were injured in this incident,” Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller said. “The responding officers’ performance was courageous and disciplined based on the tenets of the training they are provided with. The overwhelming response from our mutual aid partners brings comfort to know that police officers will always run toward danger to assist their fellow officers, which is the foundation of what this profession is built upon. I want to personally thank every officer that responded to assist the Secaucus Police Department. Your response was greatly valued.”

Police officers from Bayonne, West New York, North Bergen, Hoboken and Lyndhurst all responded, as did NJ State Police and the Hudson County Sheriff.