Armed Man With BB Gun Charged With Assault After College Lockdown: Hoboken Police

HOBOKEN, NJ — The day after the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken issued a "shelter in place" order for students because of a man seen with a weapon, the Hoboken police said the man had a rifle-style BB gun.

At 9:03 a.m. on Monday, Stevens institute sent a message to students telling them to "shelter in place" because of police activity near Fifth and Hudson streets in Hoboken, on the border of campus.

The Hoboken police also Tweeted for people to stay away from the area, and the city Tweeted that there were reports of a "man with a weapon."

Officials searched for the man to confirm what witnesses had reported to them.

Later on Monday, police said they had a man in custody who had apparently gotten into a dispute with construction crews over whether they had started their work too early.

Tuesday, police said that the man in the situation was Michael Jasmine, 63, of Hoboken. Police said they have charged him with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Police said that the Hudson County SWAT Team, Hoboken police, and the Stevens police responded.

They said Jasmine was charged "for his actions during a dispute with construction workers. During the investigation a rifle style BB gun was recovered which corroborated the information provided to the Hoboken Police Department. Mr. Jasmine's charges were placed on a warrant."

The day before, police had said, "Earlier today our department responded to a dispute on the 500 block of Hudson Street. The dispute involved a resident of that block and street a construction crew conducting work on Hudson Street. The dispute was over what time street construction began. During the dispute it was alleged that a rifle was shown. The Hoboken Police Department responded and promptly made the area safe. They along with the Hudson County SWAT Team were able to make contact with the suspect who willingly surrendered."

Police said that he has been released from custody.

Construction in Hoboken must begin no earlier than 8 a.m., unless special permission is obtained.

See prior reporting on this story here.