Prosecutor: Morris County Teen Shot, Killed Father

A Kinnelon teenager has been charged with murdering his own father after police found the man dead in his own home, Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp announced Monday.

Police arrived at a Wedgewood Drive home in the borough at 4:15 p.m. Sunday for a report of an unknown medical emergency. Upon arrival, they found James Hofstetter, 57, dead from gunshot wounds, Knapp said.

An investigation led to a search for Hofstetter’s son, Travis Hofstetter, 18, who was located a short time later by the Hardyston Township Police near the Skylands Ice World on Route 23 in Stockholm, New Jersey, Knapp said.

On Monday Travis Hofstetter was charged with one count of murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $750,000 cash-only bail with additional conditions.

The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Kinnelon Borough Police, Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, Hardyston Township Police Department, and Morris County Medical Examiner’s Office took part in the investigation.

Subscribe to a free email newsletter and breaking news alerts by clicking on the Patch town name:
Long Valley • Mendham-Chester • Morristown • Parsippany • Hackettstown • Morris Township • Jefferson • Hopatcong-Sparta • East Hanover-Florham Park • Madison • Chatham • Montville • Tri-Boro