AUTHORITIES MAKE ARREST FOR SHOTS FIRED IN HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP

HILLSBOROUGH TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Hillsborough Township Chief of Police Michael McMahon announced the arrest of Ryan Vandermeer, age 18, Falcon Road, Hillsborough, New Jersey in relation to three incidents of shots fired which occurred during the evening hours of Sunday, September 3, 2023, and Tuesday, September 5, 2023, in Hillsborough Township. Prosecutor McDonald stated on Sunday, September 3, 2023, between the hours of 10:15 p.m. and 10:45 p.m., the rear sliding glass door of a Robin Road residence was struck and shattered by a low-caliber bullet. 

That same evening, within the same time frame, the second-floor exterior of a Brookside Lane residence was also struck by a low caliber bullet. Both residences were occupied at the time of the incident, and no injuries were reported. Hillsborough Township Police were dispatched to the residences. Detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department also responded to investigate, as well as the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene and Investigations Unit.Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at approximately 8:29 p.m., the rear sliding glass door of a Gateway Boulevard residence was struck by a medium caliber bullet. This residence was also occupied at the time of the shooting, and no injuries were reported. Hillsborough Township police officers and detectives responded to investigate. An investigation was conducted by detectives from the Hillsborough Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit. As a result of this investigation, Ryan Vanderveer was identified as a suspect in the shootings. On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, a Superior Court search warrant was executed on Vandermeer’s residence in Hillsborough resulting in the seizure of numerous firearms and ammunition which will be forwarded for further ballistic testing. Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Ryan Vandermeer was arrested in Hillsborough without incident and charged with three counts of 1st-degree Attempted Murder, two counts of 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, two counts of 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun and three counts of 3rd degree Endangering Another Person. Defendant Vandermeer was transported to the Somerset County Jail where he was lodged pending a detention hearing in this matter. Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief McMahon request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office at (908) 231-7100, or the Hillsborough Township Police Department at (908) 369-4323, or via the STOPit app. 

The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. 

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential. NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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