The Highland Park Police Department, in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, has arrested a Highland Park resident suspected of firing a handgun at a family member eight days ago.
Detectives from the Highland Park Police Department, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit along with members of the United States Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Task Force located and arrested Jakil Bryant, in the Dayton section of South Brunswick without incident this afternoon. Bryant, 28, of Highland Park, was wanted for allegedly shooting a handgun at a family member inside a Highland Park apartment on February 15 while there were several adults and children present.
Officers located Bryant in Highland Park this morning, at which time he ran from officers, leaving behind the firearm he is suspected of using in the shooting. Charges are pending.
According to an earlier Facebook post, the police sought Bryant, who was last seen this morning, February 23, in the area of Magnolia Street and South 2nd Ave after he ran from arresting officers.
Bryant allegedly fired a handgun at a family member with children present while inside of a Highland Park apartment on February 15 at approximately 7:55 p.m. Police at the time warned that Bryant “should be considered armed and dangerous” and asked residents not to attempt to apprehend or approach him.
“Gun violence is rare in Highland Park, and I am thankful that our officers have quickly tracked down the individual responsible without any further injury to anyone. This was excellent police work by both our Patrol officers and Detectives. I also want to thank the US Marshalls, the NJ State Police, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance, as well as our partners in the Borough for keeping everyone safe,” said Chief Rick Abrams of the Highland Park Police Department.
Anyone with any information that would aid police should contact the Highland Park Police Department at (732) 572-3800 or call 911. All information will remain confidential.
This is the second shooting incident in the Borough in under a month. In January, police were investigating an incident on South 4th Avenue where an individual fired six shots at two unoccupied vehicles. There were no injuries reported and that investigation is ongoing.
This article has been updated to reflect that the suspect, Jakil Bryant of Highland Park, has been apprehended.