FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ (Somerset County) – A Middlesex County man has been arrested for an attempted murder that occurred in the area of Easton Avenue in Franklin Township last month, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.
On Sept. 13, at around 6:45 p.m., a Franklin Township resident reported driving in the area of Girard Avenue and Easton Avenue when a loud noise was heard. The driver assumed it was debris in the roadway. Upon arriving home, the resident noticed bullet holes in the trunk of the motor vehicle, McDonald said.
As a result of this investigation, detectives were able to identify Nate Rowell, 25, of New Brunswick as the driver of the suspect vehicle which was observed exiting a parking lot of a local business on Easton Avenue.
Upon exiting the parking lot, defendant Rowell stops his vehicle, opens the driver’s side door and fires two gunshots in the direction of an occupied vehicle parked on Girard Avenue near Easton Avenue. As Rowell discharges his firearm, he struck an unrelated vehicle which was driving by at that time, McDonald said.
Rowell was observed closing the driver’s side door and departing from the area. Responding Officers located two spent shell casings in the vicinity of the alleged shooting, McDonald said.
No injuries were reported from this shooting incident, McDonald said.
Rowell was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree endangering another person.
On Thursday, Sept. 28, Rowell was served with a criminal warrant complaint at the Middlesex County Corrections Center where he has been lodged since Sept. 25, on unrelated charges from Middlesex County. He will remain lodged pending a detention hearing, McDonald said.
