Armed Bridgewater Man Charged After Shots Fired Near Police

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater man was charged after shots were fired with police and SWAT at his Country Club home on Monday, authorities said.

Donald G. Shaffer, 61, of Country Club Road, Bridgewater Township was charged with second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, third-degree endangering another person, fourth-degree aggravated assault, and disorderly persons assault, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

A resident of the Country Club home called 911 at 4:35 p.m. on Monday to report that Shaffer was in the attached garage with multiple weapons, Robertson said. (See Related: Armed Man Arrested After Shelter-In-Place In Bridgewater: Police)

When Bridgewater Township Police Officers arrived they heard a series of gun shots coming from the garage, Robertson said.

Officers immediately evacuated three people inside the home who were ages 38, 3, and 8 months old, Robertson said.

A perimeter was set up and Somerset County law enforcement agencies as well as the New Jersey State Police were asked to help. Somerset County SWAT along with County Crisis Negotiators, and FBI Crisis Negotiators were also called in.

At about 6:25 p.m. Shaffer, who was unarmed, came out from the garage and was arrested by SWAT officers without incident.

An investigation found that Shaffer fired multiple rounds inside the garage with two of the shots having gone through the garage door and coming close to a Bridgewater Police Officer, Robertson said.

A search of the garage found four firearms including a revolver, a semi-automatic handgun, a shotgun, and an AR-15 rifle along with about 2,000 rounds of ammunition, Robertson said.

Shaffer was taken to an area hospital for medical evaluation under police guard. After he is released he will be taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Bridgewater Police Officers were commended "for their quick and decisive actions under duress along with the rapid law enforcement response which ultimately resulted in the safe surrender of the suspect without any injuries to everyone involved," Robertson said.

The following agencies also responded to this incident: Somerset County TEMS, Somerset County Mobile Communications Command Post, Hillsborough Township Mobile Command Post, Martinsville Rescue Squad, and Green Knoll Rescue Squad.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgewater Police Department at 908-722-4111, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit 908-231-7100, or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

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

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