Woman Hit With Brick, Strangled On Christmas In South Jersey: Police

BUENA, NJ — A Landisville man was charged with attempted murder after hitting a woman over the head with a brick and strangling her on Christmas Day, police said.

Justin Lopez, 33, was initially charged with aggravated assault, strangulation and unlawful possession of a weapon after an investigation, police said.

Franklin Township police responded to reports of a woman screaming just after midnight Dec. 25 in the area of North Franklin and West Arbor Avenue in Buena Borough, according to a news release.

A 52-year-old Mays Landing woman was found bleeding from her head and disoriented, police said. She was taken to Inspira Medical Center in Vineland in critical condition with injuries to her head and upper body. Police are not releasing the woman's name at this time due to the nature of the incident.

Lopez was taken to the Atlantic County Correctional Facility and his charges were upgraded to attempted murder on Dec. 28.

Police said that Lopez and the women knew each other and that it was not a random act, but did not specify what the relationship was between the two.

Det. Allison Schnapp is investigating the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact Franklin Township police at 856-694-1415 ext. 209.