New Jersey

SWAT Swarms Streets of Northern New Jersey Town

A report of a shot fired prompted the response

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What to Know

  • Multiple SWAT teams and police descended on the northern New Jersey town of Garfield Wednesday, Chopper 4 images show -- apparently all due to a report of gunshots
  • The report also caused two schools in Garfield and three more in neighboring Lodi to be placed on lockdown as police went door-to-door, with guns drawn, looking for whoever fired that alleged shots
  • Chopper 4 was over the scene when a number of SWAT officers with long firearms swarmed and entered the white apartment building situated on a street corner around 12:30 p.m.

Multiple SWAT teams and police descended on the northern New Jersey town of Garfield Wednesday -- and it was apparently all due to a report of gunshots.

Authorities swarmed the area of the intersection of Pierre Avenue and Maple Street, with the report prompting a response from no fewer than three tactical units: two from the Bergen County regional swat team backing up Garfield’s own  emergency service unit as they locked down the block in search of a suspect.

"It was a big "pow" -- just one gunshot, that was it," a resident told News 4 New York.

However, the report was enough to, not only cause a huge law enforcement response, but lock down two schools in Garfield and three more in neighboring Lodi as police went door-to-door, with guns drawn, looking for whoever fired that alleged shot.

According to the Garfield Police Department, local police, the Garfield ESU Team, Bergen County Regional SWAT/Negotiators Team, Bergen County Sheriffs K-9 responded to the scene.

Police say the area was ultimately cleared and the schools were taken off "shelter in place."

Residents were ordered not to leave their homes as police focused their attention on a three-story apartment building at Pier Avenue, questioning residents inside.

Chopper 4 was over the scene when a number of SWAT officers with long firearms swarmed and entered the white apartment building situated on a street corner around 12:30 p.m.

Marvin Cordero, told News 4, he received a frantic call from his 15-year-old daughter who was inside the building.

She call me and say daddy come home, come home somethings wrong," he said.

Terrified neighbors flocked to the police barricades anxious to find out what was happening and whether their own friends and loved ones were in danger.

Additionally, images from above the scene showed police tape and a multitude of police vehicles in the region.

The investigation is ongoing.

Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the Garfield Police Department at 973-478-8500.

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