HAZLET – On the morning of Dec. 9, members of the Hazlet Police Department responded
to the Cove Road Elementary School after being notified by school officials that
a projectile had been recovered near the school.
According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Hazlet police contacted the prosecutor’s office and members of that office responded to assist. It was learned that a school employee located the projectile while blowing leaves in the area.
Police confirmed the object the school employee found was a bullet projectile, however, there were no calls regarding any shots fired in the area on Dec. 9, according to the press release.
At this time, police believe the recovery of the projectile is likely connected to a call that was received at 10:14 p.m. Oct. 7. On that date a 911 caller reported hearing shots fired in the area of a neighborhood behind the Cove Road Elementary School.
Upon receiving the Oct. 7 call, Hazlet police officers immediately responded to the scene. Upon their arrival in the area, the responding officers were unable to locate any evidence
of shots fired and/or any witnesses who had seen any evidence of a shooting incident, according to the press release.
The Hazlet Police Department and the prosecutor’s office are continuing to investigate the incident.
However, at this time, based upon the connection to the Oct. 7 shots fired call, the prosecutor’s office said there does not appear to be any reason for concern to students or local residents, particularly considering the fact the Oct. 7 call came long after school had ended.
The prosecutor’s office said Cove Road Elementary School officials appropriately notified police and, in turn, the prosecutor’s office. Police then began a joint investigation to ensure that students and local community members were safe.
Hazlet Police Chief Ted A. Wittke, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey and Hazlet Township Public Schools Superintendent of Schools Scott Ridley have asked anyone who has information regarding this incident to contact Hazlet Police Detective Nick Logothetis at 732-264-6565 and/or Detective Brian Hammarstrom of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Bureau at 800-533-7443.
