Somerset Co. Stabbing Leads To Man Charged With Attempted Murder

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Highland Park man was charged with attempted murder after police say he stabbed another man during an argument in Franklin Township.

Thomas E. Carter, 61, of Montgomery Street, Highland Park was arrested on Tuesday without incident and charged with first-degree attempted murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

On March 24, at around 8:03 p.m., Franklin Township Police were notified by security personnel from an area trauma hospital with concerns for a victim who sustained an alleged stab wound in Franklin Township.

The victim, a New Brunswick resident, had potentially life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery at the hospital, said Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman, Jr, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather.

Following surgery, the victim told Franklin Township Police Detectives and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit that they were stabbed during a verbal altercation that happened near Hamilton Street in Franklin Township on the night of March 24.

As a result of this investigation, detectives were able to identify Carter as the person responsible for the alleged stabbing.

On March 26, detectives assigned to the investigation were able to track and locate Carter in Highland Park where he was arrested. Carter was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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