Retired Fort Lee Cop Charged With Attempted Murder

FORT LEE, NJ — A retired borough police officer, the husband of a former mayor, has been charged with attempted murder after he allegedly shot a man in the chest in South Jersey last week.

Richard Michael Gato, 70, of Toms River, was arrested Friday following the Thursday night shooting, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Della Fave said the incident happened Thursday outside of Gato's Margaret Court home. Robert Oleynick, 34, of Toms River, was at the address looking for a friend when he encountered Gato outside of Gato's home, Della Fave said.

The encounter resulted in a physical altercation between the men that led to Gato shooting Oleynick in the left side of his chest, Della Fave said.

Oleynick went from Gato's home a nearby apartment. Toms River Police responded to the apartment at about 10 p.m., Della Fave said, and Oleynick was airlifted to receive medical attention.

An investigation by the Toms River Police Department and the Major Crime Unit of the prosecutor's office traced the shooting to Gato's home. A search warrant uncovered video that captured the entire confrontation and shooting, which lead to charges being filed, Della Fave said.

Gato was charged with attempted murder and possession of a weapons for an unlawful purpose. He is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending his first court appearance, Della Fave said.

Gato is a retired Army veteran and a 9/11 first responder who was at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack in New York City. His wife, Susan Payne Gato, is a former borough councilwoman and mayor.

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Photo: Richard Michael Gato, photo provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office via the Ocean County Corrections Department