Police in Hillside are continuing to investigate a shooting incident that locked down a Union County High School Monday afternoon.
Hillside Police Chief Vincent Ricciardi said at 3:00 p.m., Hillside Police received a call about a large fight and shots fired near the intersection of Liberty Ave and Ryan Street after Hillside High School was dismissed.
According to Chief Ricciardi, the situation was ordered a lockdown due to the proximity of the incident to the High School and that students were still inside the building. At the same time, Hillside Police responded to the area.
Chief Vincent Ricciardi said Hillside detectives located and detained two individuals, one believed to be the shooter.
A third subject was later located and apprehended.
Officers and detectives located a shell casing and other evidence.
According to Chief Vincent Ricciardi, the gun was recovered at about 5:00 p.m., and the school lockdown was lifted. Union County Sheriff's K-9 and crime scene units assisted.
The shooter was a 17-year old-male from Bloomfield.
Chief Vincent Ricciardi said also arrested were:
• 17-year-old male from Irvington
• 16-year-old male from Hillside
"I am very proud of our Hillside officers and detectives.
They did a truly professional job in bringing this incident to a swift resolution. It took a high level of skill, experience, and adherence to their training to be able to make these arrests and recover the gun within just a short couple of hours and without injury to anyone". -Chief Vincent Ricciardi
This incident is still under investigation.
Anyone with information related to this incident or future incidents is urged to call Hillside Police at 973-926-5800.
Callers may remain anonymous.