Prosecutor: Man Faces Charges in Hillsborough Shooting Incident.
THE NIGHT HILLSBOROUGH WOKE UP TO GUNFIRE
HILLSBOROUGH — When the first gunshot cracked through the cold Somerset County air, most residents thought it was a car backfiring. When the second and third followed, everyone knew something was wrong. Within minutes, police cruisers flooded a residential street off Amwell Road, illuminating a neighborhood suddenly thrust into chaos.
According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Tuesday night shooting left one person injured and a Hillsborough man facing serious charges that could put him behind bars for years. What began as a quiet evening spiraled into a crime scene full of shell casings, frightened neighbors, and investigators working long past midnight.
Authorities say the victim, whose name has not been released, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital. The blast of violence rattled a block known more for dog walkers and bicycles than for flashing police lights.
ONE SUSPECT, MULTIPLE CHARGES, BIG QUESTIONS
Prosecutor John P. McDonald announced that a 34-year-old Hillsborough resident was arrested early Wednesday morning after detectives identified him as the alleged shooter. The man was taken into custody without incident and is now facing a stack of charges, including:
- Second-degree aggravated assault
- Possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose
- Unlawful possession of a firearm
- Endangering the welfare of others in the vicinity
Prosecutors have not detailed a motive, but investigators believe the shooting stemmed from a dispute that escalated far beyond control.
McDonald said in a statement, “Any act of armed violence threatens not just the intended target, but the entire community. We remain committed to pursuing individuals who choose to endanger others with firearms.”
The suspect is currently being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
NEIGHBORS SHAKEN, STREET ON EDGE
Residents of the normally calm Hillsborough neighborhood described a night of panic, confusion, and fear. Many were watching TV or getting ready for bed when they heard what sounded like “loud bangs” outside.
“I grabbed my kids and dropped to the floor,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be named. “When the patrol cars started lining up outside, that’s when we realized this wasn’t just noise — something serious had gone down.”
The block, which usually sees more strollers than squad cars, was covered in evidence markers as detectives combed the area. Parents kept their children inside the next morning. Some residents admitted they barely slept.
“It felt like the whole street was holding its breath,” another neighbor said.
DETECTIVES WORKING THE TIMELINE
Crime scene investigators, Hillsborough police officers, and the Somerset County Major Crimes Unit spent hours mapping out bullet trajectories, collecting shell casings, and securing surveillance footage from nearby homes.
Sources say investigators are reviewing video that may show key moments before and after the shooting, including potential witnesses and vehicles in the area. Detectives are also analyzing ballistic evidence to determine the exact weapon used.
Officials say more charges could surface as the investigation continues.
Authorities are urging anyone with information — even doorbell camera clips or overheard conversations — to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
WHAT’S NEXT IN THE CASE
The suspect is expected to appear in court later this week for a detention hearing. Prosecutors are preparing to argue that he should remain jailed due to the seriousness of the allegations and the danger posed to the public.
If convicted, the defendant could face significant prison time, especially on the aggravated assault and weapons charges, which carry multi-year sentences under New Jersey’s strict gun laws.
For residents of Hillsborough, the hope is simple: that this outbreak of gunfire remains a rare disruption — not a sign of something deeper brewing beneath the surface.