Fanwood Man Charged With Shooting Neighbor's Fence

Fanwood resident John M. Stewart, 41, has been charged with numerous weapons charges and endangering the public after he allegedly fired six rounds at a neighbor’s fence from his Coriell Avenue home.

Fanwood Police Chief Richard Trigo stated that at 8:35 p.m. on Wednesday night, Fanwood Police responded to numerous 911 calls reporting shots fired. He added that nobody was injured.

“Upon arriving at the scene, Fanwood Police witnessed the defendant exiting his residence. After a brief scuffle, he was placed under arrest," Trigo said. "A short time later, backup officers from the Scotch Plains Police Department arrived to assist Fanwood Police in creating a secure perimeter around the house. Fanwood police entered the residence and located the assault weapon within the house.”

Trigo stated that the shots were fired from an upstairs window. Police are continuing to investigate the case, which Trigo said is being treated as an isolated incident with no intended target.

The Union County Sheriff’s Department identification unit assisted with the crime scene investigation. All six rounds fired were recovered by Fanwood Police. The assault weapon used was unregistered.

Stewart was arrested at the scene and taken to the Union County Jail, where Superior Court Judge Stuart Peim set bail at $56,000. Trigo noted that the last time shots were fired in Fanwood was in when Thomas Sweeney, 81, and his wife, Carolyn were killed in a murder-suicide. That crime took place directly across the street from John Stewart's Coriell residence, Trigo said. 

Anyone with information or questions regarding this case is urged to contact Chief Trigo at (908) 322-5000 ext. 115 or 116.