Prosecutors allege a Franklin Township officer failed to carry out his duties after multiple reports of gunshots and screams the night before two people were found fatally shot.
FLEMINGTON, N.J. — A Hunterdon County grand jury has indicted a Franklin Township police sergeant on an official misconduct charge, alleging he failed to properly respond to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots and screams hours before a double homicide.
Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson announced Thursday that Sgt. Kevin Bollaro was indicted on one count of second-degree official misconduct.
According to prosecutors, the charge stems from Bollaro’s response to three separate 911 calls received at about 7 p.m. on Aug. 1, 2025, reporting gunshots and screaming near White Bridge and Upper Kingtown roads in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township.
The following day, officers responding to a separate 911 call discovered Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Pittstown, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Forked River, dead from apparent gunshot wounds at a home on Upper Kingtown Road. Investigators later determined the killings were a targeted act carried out by New Jersey State Police Lt. Ricardo Santos, who is deceased.
Prosecutors allege dispatchers notified Bollaro of the reports of gunshots and screaming, but instead of responding directly, he drove in the opposite direction to conduct a personal ATM transaction in Clinton Township.
According to the indictment, Bollaro arrived at the first caller’s location about 17 minutes after being dispatched.
Investigators further allege Bollaro failed to activate his body-worn camera, did not thoroughly canvass the area and did not speak with the other two 911 callers.
Prosecutors said GPS data and surveillance video showed that after clearing the calls, Bollaro spent portions of his shift at Duke’s Pizzeria, the Pittstown Inn and Locust Grove Cemetery and did not return to the area where the calls originated.
The indictment charges Bollaro with knowingly refraining from performing his official duties to obtain a benefit.
A post-indictment arraignment is scheduled for July 10 before Superior Court Judge Christopher J. Garrenger.
If convicted, a second-degree offense in New Jersey carries a potential prison sentence of five to 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000.
An indictment is an allegation, and Bollaro is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
- A Hunterdon County grand jury indicted a Franklin Township police sergeant on an official misconduct charge.
- Prosecutors allege he failed to properly respond to multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots and screams before a double homicide.
- The sergeant is accused of delaying his response, failing to conduct a thorough investigation and not completing required police duties.
