MATTHEW R. DAWE
PHILLIPSBURG, NEW JERSEY
AGE: 32
On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at approximately 2:00 A.M., members of the Phillipsburg Police
Department responded to the 100 block of Lewis Street after receiving an alert from Phillipsburg’s
ShotSpotter. Upon arrival, patrols discovered a suspect had fired two shots into a residence. No injuries
were reported. Video footage of the area identified the shooter as, Matthew R. Dawe. Police executed a
search warrant early this morning, at 108 Lewis Street, in the town of Phillipsburg. As a result of the
search, a loaded, .40 caliber Taurus handgun was seized. Dawe was arrested, and during processing
refused to allow law enforcement to obtain fingerprints.
Dawe was charged on Complaint Warrants with the offenses below. He is currently lodged in the Warren
County Correctional Center in Belvidere, New Jersey. The Court is anticipated to hear the State’s Motion
for Pretrial Detention during the week of August 04, 2025.
- Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, specifically discharging a firearm into a
residence, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4A(1), a crime of the second degree;
- Aggravated Assault, specifically by discharging a firearm into a residence which was
occupied, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1B(1), a crime of the second degree;
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, specifically a handgun, without first obtaining a permit,
in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5B(1), a crime of the second degree;
- Certain person not to possess a weapon, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-7B(1), a crime of the
second degree;
- Fingerprinting of Suspects, refused to allow law enforcement to obtain fingerprints during
the criminal arrest process, in violation of N.J.S.A. 53:1-15, a disorderly persons offense
Second degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in the New Jersey State Prison.
Disorderly persons offenses carry a maximum sentence of six (6) months in the Warren County
Correctional Center.
The charges are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office would like to thank the Phillipsburg Police Department and
assisting agencies for their rapid and thorough response. Assisting with the investigation were the Warren
County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Warren County Regional Crime Scene Team, the
Warren County Tactical Response Team, and the Lopatcong Township Police Department.
