High Point Country Club standoff

UPDATE: Standoff comes to an end after nearly 24 hours.

MONTAGUE — Shots were heard Monday morning during a standoff at the High Point Country Club that started with an attempt to fix a leak in a rental unit occupied by a man who claims to have a gun.

A witness who lives nearby told New Jersey 101.5 that over a hundred State Police, ATF and FBI agents plus a SWAT team are at the country club on Shore Drive along Holiday Lake. The club has 700 condo units, which are spread out over several buildings on the property.

Residences were being evacuated on Monday. The community is at the northern end of Sussex County, bordered by New York and Pennsylvania.

The witness told New Jersey 101.5 that the standoff started Sunday night.

Members of a SWAT team at a standoff in Montague 5/2/22 (Listener submitted)

Circumstances of the standoff

Country Club president Zhanna Kelley said she and her ex-husband rent out the unit to a man they had been trying to evict before the pandemic. She said the tenant has been allowed to remain during the pandemic moratorium on evictions.

"He thinks that aliens are trying to get him, he thinks the FBI is coming to get him," Kelley told New Jersey 101.5. "We have no access to the unit and it's been very difficult to deal with him."

Kelley said the person who rents the lower unit was complaining about a leak into their apartment and access was needed to make a repair. The upstairs tenant did not respond to phone calls, texts and emails asking him to let someone in to make a repair so her ex-husband and a friend went to the unit and tried to change the lock in order to get inside, she said.

"They start changing the lock and the guy responds 'get away from my door, f**k you, I have a gun, I'm going to shoot.' So he calls the police. The police arrive. This guy starts threatening the police and gets a bullhorn and shouting out the window 'I'm going to shoot the police, get away from here.'"

Kelley said police have used smoke bombs on the unit, blown out the windows and cut the power in an so far unsuccessful effort to get the tenant to leave.

"He's not holding anyone hostage they're just trying to get him," Kelley said.

State Police told New Jersey 101.5 they are on scene for a barricaded subject but would not disclosed further details.

Member of a SWAT team at a standoff in Montague 5/2/22 (Listener submitted)

Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com

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These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions: