Gas Station Fight Leads To Stabbing, Arrest In Franklin: Prosecutor

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Somerset man is accused of following and stabbing a man in the neck and chest after they got into a fight at a gas station in Franklin Township, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Matthew B. Hall, 32 of Easton Avenue, Somerset, was 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 July 23 at about 12:33 a.m., Franklin Township Police were called to an area hospital for a man suffering from two stab wounds.

The man said that the stabbing initially began as an argument at a gas station in Franklin Township, said McDonald.

During the argument, the man said Hall put his hands on him. The man then shoved Hall before Hall ran away from the gas station to get a weapon from the trunk of his car, according to the report.

As the man drove away from the gas station, Hall tried to hit him with to the weapon. Hall then got into his car and followed the man, according to the report.

While stopped at a traffic light on Demott Lane and Easton Avenue, Hall pulled up next to the man's car and began to stab the man aiming at his neck and chest, according to the report.

The man said he tried to block the assault resulting in stab wounds to his hand and bicep.

As a result of this investigation, Hall was arrested without incident in Franklin Township and charged.

Hall was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to the stabbing 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.

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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