FRANKLIN, NJ—Authorities are investigating a string of shootings that took place over the Memorial Day weekend in the Somerset section of the Township.

County Prosecutor Michael Robertson said the first shooting took place on Friday, May 27, at approximately 8:58 p.m.

Following a 9-1-1 call, the Franklin Township Police Department (FTPD) responded to a report of gunshots fired at a Minetta Road residence.

“The resident advised that he heard approximately five gun shots,” read the press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office (SCPO).  “A bullet hole was located inside the residence in a bedroom wall. No injuries were reported, and no suspects have been identified.”

Six hours later, just a few minutes after 3am, the FTPD was again responding to a report of gunshots fired.

This time, the incident took place “in the area of Victor Street” and officers found a 33-year-old gunshot victime inside a residence.

According to authorities, the victim was in his second-floor bedroom “when a stray bullet came through the window and struck him in the shoulder.”

“Several 9mm shell casings were located outside the residence,” according to the SCPO release.

As part of the FTPD’s investigation, which also included detectives from the SCPO, a Superior Court search warrant was obtained for a neighboring home.

“A search of the residence resulted in the seizure of a .22 caliber assault handgun with a magazine capable of holding 50 rounds of ammunition,” read the SCPO release.

David Anderson, a 28-year-old resident of Henry Street who was also identified as “an occupant of the [Victor Street] dwelling,” was arrested and charged with:

  • second-degree possession of an assault weapon,
  • second-degree possession of weapon by certain person,
  • fourth-degree possession of a high capacity magazine.

But the shooting didn’t stop with Anderson’s arrest.

In at least the third shooting of the weekend, FTPD responded to a 9-1-1 call at approximately 6:50pm on Saturday, May 28.

The caller reportedly stated that “three males were observed shooting a handgun across Route 27 towards New Brunswick from the area of Millstone Road and Somerset Street.”

“Witnesses confirmed hearing gunshots being fired and observed three black males running north on Fuller Street. No injuries were reported,” read the SCPO release.

The trio of shooting incidents comes just over a month after another string of three shootings in Somerset, the part of Franklin that is closest to New Brunswick.

Following the initial string of shootings, authorities announced they had not made any arrests, and the county’s privately-run Crime Stoppers program offerred a $500 reward for information about the incidents.

The SCPO is asking anyone with information regarding the more recent incidents to contact their Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, or the Franklin Township Police Department (732) 873-5533.

Individuals requesting to remain anonymous can call the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or provide tips online at www.888577tips.org.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.