By: Richard L. Smith
Police wasted no time responding to reports of shots fired near Route 206 in Hillsborough Tuesday afternoon, quickly confirming the incident and launching a coordinated search that brought together multiple law enforcement agencies and prompted safety measures across the community.
According to officials, officers were called around 1:00 p.m. to the area of 649 Route 206, just south of Amwell Road.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing both the alleged shooter and the intended victim flee on foot moments after the gunfire.
When officers arrived, they located evidence confirming the shooting and immediately secured the scene to begin their investigation.
As a precaution, nearby schools were placed in a secure hold, and residents and businesses were advised to use caution as officers established a perimeter and began searching the surrounding neighborhoods.
The response quickly expanded.
Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes and Crime Scene units, Somerset County Sheriff’s Officers and K-9 teams, and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit joined Hillsborough Police in the search effort.
Investigators eventually located the victim—a 19-year-old Hillsborough resident—who was not injured.
Through further investigation, authorities identified the suspected shooter as 19-year-old Dawan Jeter, also of Hillsborough.
A Superior Court search warrant was granted for Jeter’s residence, and a tactical team executed the warrant, though Jeter was not found inside.
A short time later, investigators learned that he was heading to the Hillsborough Police Department to surrender.
At approximately 5:56 p.m., Jeter arrived at police headquarters and surrendered without incident.
He was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree endangering another person.
He is being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
All alerts and safety measures were lifted following his arrest.
Prosecutor John P. McDonald commended the swift, coordinated work of responding officers, noting that their decisive actions ensured the safety of students, residents, and businesses as the search unfolded.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100.