Bail Lowered for Man Accused of Pistol-Whipping Woman

A 54-year-old Livingston man who allegedly struck a woman with the butt of a gun in Morristown on Friday, triggering precautionary school lockdowns as police tried to find him, is charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses in connection with the incident, according to a news report.

A complaint filed by Morristown police alleges Donald Ebert struck the woman in the head during a domestic dispute and that he did not have a permit to carry the handgun, the Star-Ledger reports. Ebert was being held at the Morris County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail, but the bail request was lowered to $50,000 Tuesday by a state Superior Court judge in Morristown. The judge also requested that if Ebert is released from jail, he undergo a psychiatric evaluation after authorities said he threatened to harm himself during the incident.

Madison schools and Hanover Park High School in East Hanover temporarily were locked down Friday as police tried to find Ebert, who was described as armed and dangerous. East Hanover police said his vehicle was believed to be in the area, but there never was any indication he was headed for the school.

The alleged assault occurred around noon near Morristown Medical Center. Ebert eventually was located at his Livingston home, and he surrendered to police around 6 p.m. after barricading himself in his home for two and half hours.