EDISON – An unnamed suspect was taken into custody Thursday following a shooting with township police, acting Middlesex County Prosecutor Christopher L.C. Kuberiet said in a release.

A preliminary investigation indicates township police responded to 280 Route 1, the location of Mr. Tire Auto Service Center, shortly after receiving a call at 10:46 a.m. requesting assistance, according to the release.

When officers arrived, the suspect allegedly fired a gun at them before fleeing toward Woodbridge Avenue in the direction of Highland Park, Highland Park police said in a community notification.

WCBS New York reported police said a disgruntled former employee of the tire shop showed up and became angry and the employee's boss called police. When the man was approached by police officers in the parking lot, he allegedly fired a gun at them and then fled toward Woodbridge Avenue.

Following the shooting, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office responded and secured the scene which involved multiple police officers, the release states.

The state Office of the Attorney General was notified in accordance with guidelines governing the use of force by police. It was determined that the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office would handle the investigation, according to the release.

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There was no report of any injuries early Thursday evening, and the investigation was active and continuing.

Police continued to search the area hours after the incident. It was unclear what they were looking for. Police K-9s were seen searching near the tire shop, sidewalk, and the nearby Mini of Edison on Woodbridge Avenue, a Mini Cooper car dealership.

Police also closed off nearby streets.

Mason Ray, 18, of Edison said he was in his house when he heard three shots and his dog jumped up. He went to bring both of his two dogs inside.

Township resident Scott Hala was working Thursday morning at the Italian American Club on Woodbridge Avenue. He said he was emptying ice trays when he heard three shots fired and dropped the trays.

An email message to the Edison acting schools superintendent about any school lockdowns was not immediately returned.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office Detective Erik Larsen at 732-745-3263.

Thursday's incident is the second reported shooting in the township this year.

Around 1:56 a.m. March 23 outside the Akbar Restaurant on Cortland Street, Andrew Harriot of the Somerset section of Franklin allegedly fired a gun, killing Nahshon Brown, 31, of Newark, and critically injured a 40-year-old Newark man. The shooting occurred following a reggae event at the restaurant.

Contributing: Staff Writer Susan Loyer

Suzanne Russell covers crime, courts, and other forms of mayhem from throughout the Central Jersey area for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact her at srussell@gannettnj.com.