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Police: Gun Used In Trenton Hostage Situation Was Fake

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities say the gun used in the 37-hour standoff between Trenton 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 was also holding a large kitchen knife and other knives were found on the scene.

Police were called to the home May 10 after a relative of a victim had not heard 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 threatened he had a gun and explosives.

The two had been dead almost three weeks.

"Stevens' two daughters had not been to school in 12 days," Trenton Police Director Ralph Rivera said.

Three of her children, an 18-year-old woman, a 16-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy, were rescued and taken to a medical center for evaluation and treatment. A 19-year-old who had been hiding in the basement was also rescued.

No explosives were found.

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