Woman injured after gun discharges inside Morris County restaurant; 70-year-old man charged
MOUNT OLIVE TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — A 70-year-old Whitehouse Station man has been charged after his gun discharged inside a Mount Olive township restaurant, striking an 89-year-old woman in the leg, authorities said.
According to Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Mount Olive Police Chief Michael Spitzer, William H. Schmieding has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault, violating safe carry firearm requirements, and prohibited carrying of a firearm following the incident, which occurred on Oct. 20, 2025 at Frank’s Pizza on Route 206 in the Flanders section of the township.
Mount Olive police were called to the restaurant at approximately 1:00 p.m. for a report of a firearm discharge with an injured person. Responding officers found an 89-year-old woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her left leg. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
An investigation determined that Schmieding, who has a valid permit to carry a handgun, was dining with friends when he removed a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard handgun from his holster and attempted to clear ammunition. The gun fired a round, striking the woman in the leg, prosecutors said.
As a result, Schmieding was charged with second-degree aggravated assault, fourth-degree aggravated assault, third-degree prohibited carrying of a firearm, and fourth-degree violating safe firearm carry requirements.
Schmieding was detained in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings under the Criminal Justice Reform Act.
The investigation is being conducted by the Mount Olive Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200.
