4/10/2002
BARNEGAT TOWNSHIP, N.J. (April 10) - A police officer wanted in a shooting rampage that left five people dead was found shot to death Wednesday, authorities said.
Edward Lutes, a Seaside Heights police officer for 15 years, was found dead in his car, Dover Township Deputy Chief Vincent Pedalino said.
The death appeared to be a suicide, Assistant Ocean County Prosecutor Gregory Sakowicz said.
Oh my God - there was a shooting in Dover Township(a town about 20 miles north - Toms River). A Seaside Heights police officer shot and killed 5 people. He drove down to Barnegat (the town right next to mine) and shot and wounded his chief, who is, thankfully, in good condition. The chief lives on the same street as my girlfriend and her family. At Barnegat police headquarters late last night, police officers were seen arriving and leaving dressed in SWAT gear and carrying shotguns. The cop was the head of the SWAT unit - he is considered heavily armed and dangerous. So far, I have heard helicopters fly over my house no less than 5 times. I have also seen the police driving up and down my street. I am terrified. I will be driving Moira to school today. We will not be waiting at the bus stop.