Rumson police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office say they are still investigating a report of gunshots on Ridge Road early this morning, but don't have anyone in custody.
Investigator Richard Incremona of the prosecutor's office tells redbankgreen that he cannot disclose whether the occurrence of a shooting has been confirmed.
The 2:30a report of shots fired prompted the mustering of a SWAT team and a helicopter to the vicinity of 7 Ridge Road, where the shooting was believed to have occurred.
It also led to the evacuation of five or six nearby homes, says police Chief Richard Tobias.
The same address was the subject of a similar police response in February, when a distraught man was found inside the home with a cache of weapons and charged with possession of an illegal assault rifle.
This time, though, authorities say no one was found at the house, which is under renovation and unoccupied.
According to Incremona, Rumson police and police from neighboring towns responded to this morning's 911 call. At 4:30a, Tobias determined that the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team should be called in to assist.
At some point, police learned that there might be an injured person in the house, Incremona says. He did not identify the source of the information or when it was obtained.
At about 7:30a, authorities entered the house, but found no one inside, he says. The possibility that there might be an injured person inside "was why we entered the house," he says.
Earlier, residents of nearby homes had been evacuated and offered shelter elsewhere, but all made other arrangements, said Tobias.
A police car remained in the driveway of the home at midmorning, and authorities are continuing to investigate, Incremona says.
