Hillsborough man arrested after Route 206 shooting prompts school lockdown and police search
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A 19-year-old Hillsborough resident is in custody following a daytime shooting along Route 206 that sparked a large-scale police response, placed nearby schools in a secure hold, and triggered a multi-agency manhunt.
According to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Dawan Jeter was arrested Tuesday evening after surrendering to Hillsborough Township Police. He is accused of firing a weapon during a confrontation with another male in the area of 649 Route 206, just south of Amwell Road, at approximately 1:00 p.m. on November 18.
Both the alleged shooter and the victim fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. Witnesses provided a description of those involved, prompting officers to secure the area and begin a coordinated search. Schools and businesses in the area were advised to shelter in place as a precaution.
Multiple law enforcement units responded, including detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Somerset County Sheriff’s Officers, the K-9 Unit, and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, which provided aerial support.
Meanwhile, NJ Lottery player scores massive $3.2M lottery jackpot.
Authorities later located the 19-year-old male victim, also from Hillsborough, who was not physically injured in the incident. Through investigative efforts, Jeter was identified as the alleged shooter. A tactical team executed a search warrant at Jeter’s residence, but he was not found at the location.
Just before 6:00 p.m., Jeter voluntarily arrived at the Hillsborough Township Police Department and was taken into custody without incident.
He has been charged with:
- First-degree Attempted Murder
- Second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun
- Second-degree Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose
- Third-degree Endangering Another Person
Jeter is being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. No injuries were reported, and the lockdown measures were lifted after his arrest.
In case you missed it, K9 alert during Cumberland traffic stop leads to roadside drug bust.