Man Guilty Of Attempted Murder For Somerset Co. Hotel Shooting

FRANKLIN, NJ — A Georgia man was found guilty of attempted murder for holding a woman at gunpoint in front of her children in a Somerset County hotel and shooting her twice as she ran away in 2022, announced Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset CountyProsecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Franklin TownshipPublic Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather on Monday.

A Somerset County jury found Eder Gelin, 40, of Douglasville, Georgia, guilty on charges of first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree endangering the welfare of another person.

On Aug. 21, 2022, at around 1:25 a.m., Franklin Township Police were called to an area hotel on World’s Fair Drive in Franklin Township in response to a shooting report.

Patrol officers found a woman, age 37, suffering from gunshot wounds to her hip and foot, according to authorities.

The adult woman told officers that the suspect, Gelin, who is known to her, had shot her, said authorities.

Franklin Officers were able to locate and apprehend Gelin without incident.

An investigation by Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit found that earlier in the evening Gelin had been drinking alcohol and become irate and threatening towards the victim, according to authorities.

Gelin then pulled out a handgun and held the victim at gunpoint in front of her two children for over an hour while inside the hotel room, according to authorities.

The victim said that she was able to escape from Gelin, who chased and shot at her causing wounds to her foot and hip.

Franklin Township Police Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel treated the victim at the scene and took her to a local hospital for emergency treatment for her injuries.

Authorities found a handgun at the scene. Gelin was arrested and taken to Franklin Township Police Department for processing.

A sentencing date for Gelin has been scheduled with the Somerset County Superior Court for March 8.

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