False Shooting Report At Bridgewater Commons Mall Addressed By Police

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — False reports of a shooting at the Bridgewater Commons mall are being reported in the Township, said Police Chief John Mitzak on Tuesday.

The reports were posted online and circulated on social media.

"This information is false. There was no shooting, and no such incident occurred in Bridgewater, New Jersey," said Mitzak.

Mitzak said the inaccurate report appears to have come from a police radio transmission in connection with a scheduled training exercise.

"As part of realistic scenario-based training, officers utilized real-world locations during the exercise to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The content of that exercise was misinterpreted and shared online as an actual event," said Mitzak.

He assured the public that there is no threat to the community.

This is the second time in a week that a false rumor was shared online on social media causing panic among residents.

On Feb. 11, police addressed a rumor circulating on social media claiming U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted an enforcement operation at a local religious facility within the Township.

The post being shared came from a social media post was identified as "an AI-generated fabrication designed to cause confusion, and public alarm," said Mitzak at the time.

In both rumors, Mitzak encouraged residents to verify information before sharing it online.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Bridgewater Police Department directly.

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