Man Sentenced In Somerset Road Rage Shooting With Kids In Car

SOMERSET, NJ — A man was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for firing two gunshots at another driver during a road rage incident with his two young daughters present in May 2023, said authorities.

Gerald S. Chapman, 41, of Highland Park, was sentenced on Nov. 15 by Judge Peter J. Tober with a parole disqualifier of 42 months.

Chapman was previously convicted by a Somerset County Jury on Sept. 27 of second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree hindering apprehension.

Chapman was arrested in May 2023 and initially charged with first-degree attempted murder. That charged appears to have been dropped. Read More: Attempted Murder Charge For Somerset Man In Road Rage Shooting

On May 5, 2023, Chapman engaged in a road rage incident against the victim, John Doe, while both were driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township by the exit ramp for 287 North.

Chapman reportedly pulled alongside the victim's car and hit the passenger side mirror of the victim's vehicle with his left hand, leaving his fingerprints behind.

Chapman then drove behind and around to the driver's side of the victim's vehicle.

Once there, Chapman pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired two shots at the victim, hitting the victim's vehicle in the driver's window and the rear driver's side door while the victim was outside his vehicle on the passenger side trying to fix the side mirror.

Chapman then fled the scene.

Testimony also revealed that Chapman had his one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and four-year-old daughter in the car with him at the time of this road rage shooting.

It was also found that Chapman disposed of his 9mm handgun after the shooting and removed other evidence of the crime from his vehicle that could have aided in his apprehension.

The State thanked the Franklin Township Police Department, the Investigative Division of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office, and the Forensic Division of the New Jersey State Police for the thorough investigation which led to the identification and apprehension of Chapman.

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