Prosecutors: Bridgewater man faces charges after firing off rounds in garage

A Bridgewater Township man is facing several charges after he allegedly fired off several rounds in his garage, prompting a major police response and the lockdown of a neighborhood.
Donald Shaffer, 61, was charged with second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, third-degree endangering another person, fourth-degree aggravated assault and disorderly persons assault.
The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office says that Bridgewater police were initially called to Country Club Road Monday around 4:30 p.m. for a police welfare check. A resident inside the home told police that Shaffer had access to multiple firearms.
Police say that when they arrived, they heard a series of gunshots coming from inside the garage. Two of the shots went through the garage door and nearly hit a police officer, according to authorities.
An adult and two children were evacuated from the home and neighbors were told to stay indoors. The gunfire prompted the response of the Somerset County SWAT Team and several other law enforcement agencies.
The prosecutor says that Shaffer surrendered to police about two hours later and was taken into custody. He was taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation and will be kept at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Officials say that Shaffer was allegedly in possession of a revolver, a semi-automatic handgun, a shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, and approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition.