19-Year-Old Charged After Shooting Man With 'Unknown Projectile' At Lawrence’s Rider: PD

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — A 19-year-old Hamilton man was charged after he shot another person with an "unknown projectile" on Monday morning at Rider University, Lawrence Police Chief Chris Longo said.

On Monday, around 10:15 a.m., Lawrence Township Police Officers responded to Rider University for a report of a man that was shot with an unknown projectile.

The man told police he was walking on campus when a car drove past him and fired an unknown weapon at him. He was struck by a projectile on his right temple causing minor pain and discomfort, police said.

The suspect’s vehicle was located a short time later on campus. During investigation, a plastic camouflage toy gun that fires water-filled projectiles was recovered. Additionally, a BB gun and extendable baton were also recovered, Longo said.

Alan Morales-Garci, 19, of Hamilton was arrested and charged with simple assault negligent cause of bodily injury, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon on an education institute, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Morales-Garcia was lodged at the Mercer County Correctional Center awaiting a Detention Hearing.

A similar incident occurred in the Quakerbridge Mall parking lot near upper-level of Macys, on Friday June 23, around 8:15pm, Longo said. That incident is still under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incident at Rider University or the Quakerbridge Mall is asked to contact Detective James Steimle at 609-844-7135 or jsteimle@lawrencetwp.com.

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