'Police Responded Quickly, Professionally' Mayor Says of Locust Avenue Standoff

This message was sent via the borough newsletter and posted on the borough website, from Mayor Colleen Mahr and Police Chief Richard Trigo:

We'd like to update you on the incident overnight on Locust Avenue in Fanwood that resulted in the arrest of a resident early this morning. The following comes from an official release from the Union County Prosecutor's Office:

Investigators remain on the scene on Locust Avenue in Fanwood following an overnight standoff during which police exchanged gunfire with a man in a home there.

The Union County Prosecutor's office says the man, identified as John Antonucci, 49, of 59 Locust Avenue, was taken into custody after seven hours of negotiations. He faces weapons and other charges, according to the Prosecutor.

Police Chief Richard Trigo says police responded to a 911 call for shots fired around 11 p.m. Friday night. Upon their arrival, they encountered a man in a second floor window at that address, brandishing a rifle. About an hour later, according to Chief Trigo, the man fired multiple shots at police, who returned fire. What followed was about seven hours of negotiating with the individual in the home, which culminated in his arrest shortly before 7AM, according to Chief Trigo.

No police officers or neighbors were injured by gunfire.

The Fanwood Police were supported during the incident by Scotch Plains and Westfield Police, Union County's SWAT team, Union County and NJ Transit Police, Union County OEM, the Fanwood and Scotch Plains Rescue Squads.

As your Mayor and Police Chief, we want you to know that the Fanwood Police Department responded quickly and professionally to this situation, immediately securing the neighborhood and offering protection to families who lived adjacent to the active crime scene. We sincerely appreciate the fast backup our officers received from the Scotch Plains and Westfield Police Departments and the many County resources that assisted in resolving the situation. We also thank the Fanwood and Scotch Plains Rescue Squads and paramedics from JFK Medical Center and Overlook Hospital for standing by the entire time in case medical assistance was required.

We would ask our citizens to help our neighbors on Locust Avenue to return to normalcy by limiting unnecessary visits to their street.

--Colleen Mahr, Mayor
Richard Trigo, Poice Chief