By: Tracie Carter
A violent family altercation in Wantage led to the arrest of a man late Monday evening after he allegedly shot his father and then turned the gun on his dog.
The incident prompted a large-scale person search by police, who scoured cabins in Stokes State Forest in Sandyston, initiating the search shortly before 5:30 p.m.
According to preliminary information, the pursuit intensified when the NJ State Police aviation unit was called in after the suspect's vehicle was found abandoned on Struble Road, near Route 206.
The concerted efforts of the police paid off just before 6 p.m. when the suspect was located and taken into custody.
A weapon believed to be used in the shooting was also confiscated at the scene.
Meanwhile, the victim was urgently airlifted to Morristown Medical Center. Major Crimes and crime scene units were deployed to meticulously investigate both scenes.
The condition of the victim remains unclear as authorities continue their active investigation into this shocking family tragedy.