SOMERVILLE, NJ (Somerset County) – A Somerset County man has been sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison following his conviction in a road rage shooting incident that occurred in May 2023.
On November 15, Gerald S. Chapman, 41, of Highland Park, was sentenced by the Honorable Peter J. Tober, P.J.Cr. After a weeklong trial, Chapman was convicted on multiple charges, including second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and third-degree hindering apprehension.
The charges stemmed from an incident on May 5, 2023, when Chapman engaged in a road rage altercation with the victim, John Doe, while driving in heavy traffic on Easton Avenue in Franklin Township. Testimony revealed that Chapman struck the victim’s passenger-side mirror with his hand before pulling alongside the victim’s car. Chapman then pulled out a 9mm handgun and fired two shots at the victim’s vehicle while the victim was outside trying to repair the mirror. The shots struck the victim’s vehicle near the driver’s window and rear door.
At the time of the shooting, Chapman had his young daughters, aged one-and-a-half and four, in the car with him. After the incident, Chapman disposed of the firearm and removed other evidence from his vehicle in an attempt to hinder his arrest.
Chapman was arrested after fleeing the scene, and his actions were deemed to be particularly reckless due to the presence of his children in the vehicle. He was represented by Assistant Prosecutors Michael McLaughlin and Lorina Murphy, with the assistance of Litigation Paralegal Amy Vandergoot.
Judge Tober sentenced Chapman to five years in prison, with a parole disqualifier of 42 months, meaning Chapman will serve a minimum of 42 months before becoming eligible for parole.
