New Mexico man arrested after firing shotgun at homes and cars in Butler
Local officers, supported by multiple K-9 units and drones, were deployed to surround the woods and secure the neighborhood.
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A New Mexico man is in custody and faces multiple weapons and property damage charges after allegedly firing eight shotgun rounds into parked vehicles and a home in Morris County early Sunday morning, sparking a multi-agency tactical search.
Garrett Brogan, 34, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was taken into custody following a search through a wooded area near Washington Street in Butler, according to a joint statement from the Morris County prosecutor and Butler police.
Butler police responded to Washington Street around 2:51 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, following reports of gunfire directed at local residences. Upon arrival, officers spotted the suspect fleeing into a nearby wooded area.
The Morris County Sheriff's Emergency Response Team and local officers, supported by multiple K-9 units and drones, were deployed to surround the woods and secure the neighborhood.
At approximately 4:40 a.m., tactical responders located Brogan in the woods and took him into custody without further incident. Investigators later recovered a shotgun and ammunition from the search area.
Investigators said Brogan had recently driven cross-country from New Mexico to New Jersey, staying at a hotel in Wayne before traveling to Butler.
Authorities allege that between Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Brogan drove to Washington Street and fired eight rounds, striking vehicles, including their windshields, and at least one home.
On Monday, Nov. 9, Brogan was formally charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a shotgun, third-degree criminal mischief and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
