Lower Police Respond to ‘Man with Gun’ Call

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, at approximately 9:30 a.m. the Lower Township Police Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from a juvenile in the 100 Block of Fieldview Drive in the North Cape May Section of the township.
The juvenile indicated that a man in the home was involved in an argument with a female in the residence and that the man just went upstairs and picked up a shotgun.
Lower Township Patrol Officers immediately responded to the scene and set up a perimeter around the home while police dispatchers attempted to have the juvenile and female exit the residence.
Officers were on scene for a short time when the juvenile and female exited the residence followed by the male actor, who was immediately taken to the ground at gun point.
Officers then entered the residence to clear the home in an attempt to locate any firearms, victims or additional suspects.
While clearing the house, officers located a Mossberg, 12 gauge shotgun with pistol grip and numerous rounds of 12 gauge ammunition in a bandolier and ammo box.
In addition, officers observed a small amount of suspected Marijuana in a pipe, out in plain view, which was confiscated as well.
Investigation on scene determined that a husband and wife had been involved in a verbal domestic argument, when the male, identified as James A. Morris, age 34, of the 100 Block of Fieldview Drive in North Cape May, went to the second floor of the residence and picked up a 12 gauge shotgun which was locked at the trigger guard with a cable lock and was attempting
to find the key to the lock while holding a live shotgun shell.
Based on statements made to patrol officers at the scene, Morris was transported under police guard to Cape Regional Medical Center for an evaluation; and was subsequently charged on a warrant with the following offenses:
Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, being a 2nd Degree Crime,
Specifically by retrieving a shotgun during a Domestic Violence argument for the purpose of intimidating others.
Harrassment for Engaging in a Course of Alarming Conduct during a Domestic Violence Incident.
Possession of Marijuana, under 50 grms.
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
The incident is under investigation by Patrolman Patrick Greene, Patrolman Darrin Hickok and Detective Michael Majane.