Shots fired near the 649 Route 206 area around 1 p.m. on Nov. 18 sent five Hillsborough Township Schools into a secure hold. No one was injured in the shooting, and both the alleged shooter and victim had fled from the area on foot before police arrived. After almost a five-hour search, the suspect was caught on his way to the police station around 6 p.m.
Hillsborough police responded to the area of the shooting around 1 p.m., and eyewitnesses described the male shooter to the officers. Officers established a perimeter and began a search for the shooter and the victim. Neighboring towns helped in the search as well.
According to Principal Jeffrey DiLollo, schools were placed in a secure hold, so students and staff could go on with their day, while staying safe. A secure hold means the students remain inside the building with locked exterior doors, while staff remains vigilant and the security team monitors the situation.
DiLollo acknowledged that the incident can be unsettling. “Any potential act of violence is always a scary thing for all of us,” DiLollo said.
DiLollo stressed the importance of safety and security procedures and the need for coming together and supporting one another. “I’m hopeful that the vast majority of us continue to feel safe in our community, because we are a very safe and wonderful community,” DiLollo said.
The suspect, Dawan Jeter, is a Hillsborough resident who was not found at his home after the search warrant was signed. Jeter was found on his way to Hillsborough police headquarters by authorities, around 5:56 p.m. Once he was arrested, all alarms were cancelled. Jeter was lodged at the Somerset County Jail for further processing and questioning.
Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Crime Scene Investigations units, the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, the Somerset County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, and The New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit participated in the investigation.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor, Dawan Jeter was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and endangering another person.
