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Gun Used in NJ Hostage Standoff Was Fake

Authorities say the gun used in a 37-hour standoff between New Jersey police and a man holding three children and two dead bodies was fake.

State Police Lt. Stephen Jones says hostage-taker Gerald Tyrone Murphy had a replica semi-automatic handgun. Jones says that doesn’t change the way officers responded. Jones says Murphy also was holding a large kitchen knife and other knives were found.

Police were called to the Trenton home May 10, after a relative of a victim reported not hearing from her for weeks.

Police found the body of Carmenlita Steven and her 12-year-old son, Quavon, when they entered the home. They retreated when Murphy said he had a gun and explosives. The two had been dead almost three weeks.

No explosives were found.

Source: AP

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