UPDATE: Kearny police say Webster / Bennett Avenue activity has concluded; avoid-area notice lifted

UPDATE (~2:15 p.m. ET Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026): Kearny Police posted a COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION — UPDATE on the department’s Facebook page advising that police activity in the area of Bennett Avenue and Webster Avenue has concluded. The department said the previous community notification has been lifted, and that roadway closures and pedestrian and vehicular restrictions will be lifted shortly. Kearny Police thanked residents, motorists, and the community for their patience and cooperation while the incident was safely resolved.

Chronology note: Hudson TV observed this COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION — UPDATE wording on Kearny Police Facebook around 2:15 p.m. ET Thursday. The post’s Facebook timestamp hover showed about 10:09 a.m., which may reflect when that community notification originated or was edited in place rather than the clock time of the all-clear. A separate midday (about 12:05 p.m.) Kearny Police Facebook statement on the Romano surrender still said the perimeter remained in place as of that earlier post.

KEARNY, N.J. — Earlier Thursday, Kearny Police said units were dispatched about 9:16 a.m. to a residence on Webster Avenue after a 911 caller reported shots fired. As officers took positions near the residence, the department said an additional gunshot was heard. No persons or officers were injured.

Units secured the area, established a perimeter, and initiated negotiations. After a period of time, Mr. Thomas J. Romano, 57, of Kearny, who was the subject of an unrelated arrest warrant, surrendered to police, Kearny Police said in an earlier official Facebook statement. That earlier statement said that as of that time the perimeter remained in place and the investigation was ongoing, with residents asked to avoid Webster Avenue near West Bennett Avenue until the incident concluded. The department thanked the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team and assisting agencies.

Hudson TV is updating from the official Kearny Police Facebook COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION — UPDATE plus the department’s earlier incident statement. This package does not invent charges beyond the unrelated warrant named by police, a motive, a weapon type, a victim identity, any injury claim beyond what Kearny Police released, or a claim that the criminal investigation is closed.

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What is confirmed — and what is not

Confirmed by Kearny Police COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION — UPDATE (Facebook):

• Police activity in the area of Bennett Avenue and Webster Avenue has concluded
• Previous community notification has been lifted
• Roadway closures and pedestrian and vehicular restrictions will be lifted shortly
• Thanks to residents, motorists, and the community

Confirmed by earlier Kearny Police incident statement (morning/midday context):

• Dispatch ~9:16 a.m. to a Webster Avenue residence after a 911 shots-fired report
• Additional gunshot heard as officers took positions
• No persons or officers injured
• Perimeter / negotiations; Thomas J. Romano, 57, of Kearny (unrelated arrest warrant) surrendered
• As of that earlier statement: perimeter still in place / investigation ongoing; avoid Webster near West Bennett; thanks Hudson County Regional SWAT

Not in Kearny Police posts (do not invent): specific charges from this incident beyond the unrelated warrant; motive; weapon type/recovery; exact street number; injury change; a claim that the criminal investigation or case is closed.

Hudson TV asks: After Kearny’s community all-clear, should the next public update be charging details — or is the lifted avoid-area notice enough for residents until the Prosecutor’s Office speaks?

Share your take in the comments — and tell us which option you’d pick and why.

React: reply CLEAR or WAIT (or OTHER + your idea).