Man Wanted To 'Kill People;' Manchester Police Got Him To Give Up

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man armed with a semi-automatic rifle who was threatening to kill people was talked out of his home without incident Saturday, Manchester police said Wednesday.

A family member who called police "provided valuable information" that police were able to use to talk the man out, Manchester Lt. Vincent Manco said.

Police were called early Nov. 9 to a Pine Lake Park home by the family member, who said the 25-year-old was loading the rifle and behaving irrationally. The caller told police he was suffering from mental illness and had said he wanted to kill people.

While police officers went to the home, the police dispatcher stayed on the line with the caller, telling her and others in the house to leave it and go to a safe location.

The caller stayed on the line, and was able to give the dispatcher more information about the man's actions, Manco said.

Once officers arrived, the caller told them the man had opened a second-story window, removed the screen and established what she described as a "sniper hide," Manco said.

Police then "carefully and tactically approached the residence," he said, and made voice contact with the man, who they talked into leaving the house. There were no injuries and the man was taken to the Community Medical Center Psychiatric Emergency Screening Services Unit for a mental health evaluation, he said.

A search of the home turned up a loaded rifle in the man's room and "a large quantity of ammunition," and a second rifle was found concealed in the attic, Manco said.

"I am extremely proud of the officers and the police dispatcher for the way they handled this call," Manchester Police Chief Lisa Parker said. "These department members did an outstanding job deescalating a situation which could have easily ended in tragedy. At the end of the day, our goal is to ensure the safety of our community and officers, and today we were able to accomplish that goal."

The Manchester Township Police Department, like many other local police agencies, offers information on the proper storage of firearms and also offers assistance in the destruction of unwanted firearms/weapons.

The Manchester Police Department offers a free destruction program which only requires the possessor to the sign a form of destruction at police headquarters.

Residents are reminded to keep all weapons properly secured at all times. Information regarding the storage/destruction of firearms/weapons can be directed to Detective Sgt. Christopher Hemhauser at 732-657-2009, ext. 4207.

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