UPDATE: 8-hour manhunt: How N.J. man accused of fatal ambush in West Virginia was caught

Police in New Jersey are actively searching for a former Pennsville man who is accused of shooting and killing three men in West Virginia earlier Monday night.

According to Pennsville Police, the alleged shooter has been identified as Erick Shute, 32.

Shute is reportedly at large in New Jersey, according to police.

Authorities say Shute is armed and dangerous. He is described as a medium build with medium length black hair, wearing all black.

The shooting occurred at roughly 6 p.m. in Morgan County, according to NY Daily News.

Authorities from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Morgan County Sheriff's Office said the shooting occurred over a firewood dispute, according to the Daily News.

Three men, whose identities have not been released, were reportedly shot and killed outside Cacapon State Park. No charges have been filed at this time.

In a Facebook post, provided to NJ Advance Media, Shute claims the shooting was an act of self defense and that the men stole from him and threatened him.

Shute used to live on North Hook Road but moved out of Pennsville two years ago and according to his Facebook page, he currently resides in Great Cacapon, West Virginia.

In 2009 while living in Salem County, Shute was the center of controversy when he hung a flag upside down as "signal of distress" for America and said he believed the government was corrupt.

According to court records, Shute was indicted by a New Jersey grand jury in 2011 on charges of aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest.

Authorities say Shute is driving a white 2002 Chevy Silverado with West Virginia registration 7WS-465.

Shute is said to possibly be carrying an assault rifle, according to the Daily News.

Pennsville Township Police and West Virginia law enforcement are in communication at this time as the hunt continues.

***BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR A WHITE PICK UP TRUCK W/ WOOD SIDES. POSSIBLE DUMP BED. LICENSE PLATE ENDING IN 465.LAST SEEN... Posted by Morgan County, WV 911 on Monday, June 13, 2016

Brittany Wehner may be reached at bwehner@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @brittanymwehner. Find NJ.com on Facebook.