May 9, 2026 - Shelter in Place Incident

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - 

To the Bridgewater Community,

The number one responsibility of law enforcement is to protect life. Over the past several days, our community witnessed a critical and dangerous incident that began on Thursday, May 7, at approximately 8:00 PM and was successfully resolved on Saturday, May 9, at approximately 6:00 AM. While incidents like this are challenging and often unpredictable, our primary mission remained clear from the start: to protect life and bring the situation to a peaceful resolution.

This successful outcome was made possible through the coordinated efforts of many dedicated professionals, including the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, the Somerset County SWAT Team, the Somerset County Crisis Negotiators, the Middlesex County SWAT Team, and the Bridgewater Township Police Department. Their professionalism, patience, and teamwork were instrumental in resolving this incident safely.

When a critical incident occurs, it affects far more than just the family directly involved. It impacts neighbors, surrounding residents, schools, and the entire community. I want to sincerely thank the residents who were affected for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout this difficult situation. Our officers worked diligently to notify those impacted and, when necessary, safely evacuated residents from the immediate area to protect everyone involved.

I also want to extend my gratitude to the officials of the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District for working closely with us to safely reroute buses and students around the affected area without disrupting the school day on Friday. Their cooperation helped maintain normalcy for our children during a difficult time.

A special thank you goes to Grace Community Church and Pastor Basile for generously allowing law enforcement personnel to utilize their parking lot for nearly 48 hours and for opening their doors so our officers and support personnel could use their facilities. That level of community support means more than words can express.

I also want to thank the Rapid Response Team from Warren, New Jersey, for providing lunch to the personnel on scene and for their kindness and support. Additionally, I want to recognize the dedication of our first responders from the North Branch Fire Department, Green Knoll Fire Department, Martinsville Rescue Squad, Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad, Bound Brook EMS, Somerville EMS, Peapack Gladstone EMS and Somerset County Office of Emergency Management EMS Coordinators, who remained on standby throughout the entire incident, and were prepared to respond immediately if needed.

Thank you as well to Bridgewater Township Mayor Moench and Administrator Pappas for assisting residents who were temporarily displaced from their homes and ensuring they had the support they needed.

We understand that during incidents like this, people want immediate answers and information. However, there are times when we cannot provide details right away due to the legal rights and protections afforded to everyone involved. There are also critical moments when withholding information from the public is necessary to protect the safety of those involved in the law enforcement operation, including officers, first responders, residents, and the individual at the center of the incident. Releasing information too early can compromise tactics, escalate risks, and jeopardize a peaceful resolution. We appreciate your understanding, patience, and trust during those difficult moments.

I am extremely proud of every law enforcement professional who handled this situation. Their compassion, professionalism, patience, and restraint allowed us to peacefully resolve this incident and, most importantly, save a life.

Lastly, if I have unintentionally forgotten to mention anyone who played a role in this effort, I sincerely apologize. Please know that if you were involved in any way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is during moments like these that the strength, compassion, and unity of the Bridgewater community and surrounding communities truly shine.

Sincerely,

Chief John B. Mitzak
Bridgewater Township Police Department