Man charged with murder, weapons offenses after 63-year-old found dead in Hunterdon County
EAST AMWELL TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — A 25-year-old East Amwell Township man has been charged with murder and weapons offenses after a 63-year-old man was found dead with serious head trauma Thursday, Nov. 12, according to authorities.
John Knipe Jr., 25, of East Amwell Township, was charged with first-degree murder and multiple weapons offenses in connection with the death of John Knipe, 63, also of East Amwell Township, according to the New Jersey State Police and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities said troopers from the New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station responded to a 911 call from a woman reporting a medical emergency at 17 Iron Horse Drive in East Amwell Township.
Upon arrival, troopers discovered Knipe deceased with serious head trauma.
An investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police and Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office identified Knipe Jr. as the suspect, authorities said.
In connection with Knipe’s death, Knipe Jr. was charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Authorities said Knipe Jr. was also charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree terroristic threats involving a separate victim who survived.
Authorities did not release additional details about the surviving victim or the circumstances surrounding the alleged offenses.
Knipe Jr. is being held at the Warren County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Major Crimes North unit at 609-609-3420 or the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office Criminal Investigations Unit at 908-788-1129.
Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-321-0010. Authorities said anonymous reports and Crime Stoppers tips will remain confidential.
