Highland Park’s Irving Primary School and Bartle Elementary School were forced to lockdown and take shelter-in-place, respectively, this morning, following a suspect discharging a firearm on Edison police on Route 1 before heading west on Woodbridge Ave. toward Highland Park.
Police apprehended the suspect and there were no reported injuries, according to Highland Park Superintendent Dr. Scott Taylor in a district-wide email and phone call.
Today, I was unfortunately prompted to call a lockdown for Irving School and a shelter-in-place for Bartle, the middle, and high schools. I was informed by our police department that Edison police officers responded to a call on Route 1 in Edison. Upon police arrival, a suspect discharged a firearm at officers and fled toward Woodbrige Avenue in the direction of Highland Park. The suspect was apprehended and is now in custody. No police officers were harmed.
Dr. Taylor went on to say “[w]hile the district tries to minimize the emotional impact lockdowns and shelter-in-place procedures have on our students, this incident certainly compelled me to act to be sure school personnel and students were safe and secure. “
The Highland Park Police Department echoed Dr. Taylor’s account and confirmed that the entire incident occurred and was contained in Edison.
Below is the official release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police shooting in Edison under investigation
Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Christopher L.C. Kuberiet announced that members of his office are investigating a shooting which took place earlier today involving multiple police officers.
A suspect, whose identity is being withheld at this time, has been taken into police custody.
Following the shooting, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office responded and secured the scene. The state Office of the Attorney General was notified in accordance with guidelines governing the use of force by police. It was determined that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office would handle the investigation.
During a preliminary investigation, Edison police reported that they
responded to 280 US Route 1 shortly after receiving a call at 10:46 am requesting assistance.
At this time there is no report of any injuries. The investigation is active and is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Erik Larsen of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3263.