BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Somerset County) — Police in Bridgewater said reports circulating on social media about a shooting at the township’s mall are false and no such incident occurred.
The Bridgewater Police Department said it became aware of an online post referencing a reported shooting at the local mall, but officials confirmed there was no shooting and no threat to the community.
According to police, the inaccurate report appears to have stemmed from a radio transmission related to a scheduled training exercise. Officers were conducting scenario-based training that used real-world locations to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The content of the exercise was later misinterpreted and shared online as if it were an actual event.
“The public is assured that there is no threat to the community,” Police Chief John B. Mitzak said in a statement.
Authorities encouraged residents to rely on official department communications for accurate information and to avoid sharing unverified reports. Anyone with questions is asked to contact the Bridgewater Police Department directly, police said.
