Murder Charge For Marine After South Jersey Bar Shooting Victim Dies

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — Officials added a murder charge against a Marine Corps reservist accused of fatally shooting another man in the forehead outside a Franklin Township bar early Saturday.

Gloucester County officials accused 25-year-old Walter "Willy" Gilliano of shooting 31-year-old Chad Stuart in the head after a fight outside Villari's Sports Bar in Franklinville that morning. Officials said Stuart, who lived in Clayton, has died.

Gilliano, of Franklinville, now faces a murder charge in addition to the previous charges of criminal attempt murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, officials said.

Chief Thomas Gilbert of the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office announced the additional charge Wednesday. Original coverage —NJ Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Gloucester Shooting: Report

A spokesperson for the United States Marine Corps told Patch that Gilliano is enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve as a corporal. He is stationed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst as a helicopter mechanic with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 773.

A GoFundMe for Stuart's family, legal costs, and funeral fees has raised about $9,500 as of Friday afternoon.

"Chad was the victim of a violent crime, in the prime of his life, which stole the rest of his life here on earth but thank God He lives eternally in heaven," the page says.

Stuart worked at Lake House Restaurant, which shared photos and videos of him smiling with guests and coworkers.

"He was an amazing server, friend, baker, spontaneous singer, and goofy dancer with an infectious smile," the restaurant staff wrote. "Chad was a huge part of our Lake House family and we will forever miss him and cherish the time we spent with him."

Gilliano and Stuart knew one another, officials said, and had a fight before the shooting outside the bar on Coles Mill Road. A witness told police he was in the parking lot with Gilliano and Stuart after the bar closed at 2 a.m., according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the murder charge.

The two began arguing, the witness said. Gilliano left the area after telling Stuart and the witness they "better be gone" when he came back, according to the affidavit.

When Gilliano came back, he had a gun and brandished it at Stuart and the witness, the affidavit states. The witness said they had a short conversation, and then Gilliano shot Stuart in the forehead, at which point the witness said he ran away for fear of being shot next.

Gilliano called 911 and said he had shot someone in the head and was performing CPR, according to the affidavit. Officers arrived at around 4:42 a.m. to find him giving aid to Stuart, police said. Gilliano remained at the scene after the shooting, officials said.

Medical crews airlifted Stuart to Cooper Hospital in Camden, where he died Tuesday night according to NJ.com.

Officers found a Glock 19 and a .9mm bullet casing at the scene, according to police.

Gilliano is in the Salem County Correctional Facility being held without bail, jail records show.

The bar, Villari's, said no staff were present at the time of the shooting.