Boonton Man Accused of Econo Lodge Shooting in Whippany, Arrested in NY

Whippany New Jersey

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Hanover Township Police Chief Stephen W. Gallagher announce the arrest of Daniel J. Wendt, 23, years old of Boonton, on charges related to a shooting that occurred on February 20, at the Econo Lodge located at 1255 State Route 10 East, Whippany. On February 20, at approximately 3:30 p.m., law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Econo Lodge on a report of a shooting. The victim, whose identity is being withheld at this time, suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to a local hospital to be treated. On February 21, Daniel Wendt was charged with various crimes related to this incident. He has been charged with one count of Attempted Murder, one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. During the early morning hours of February 22, 2015, Daniel Wendt was arrested in Brooklyn, New York, as a fugitive from justice. Daniel Wendt was taken into custody by members of the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hanover Township Police Department, with the assistance of the New York Police Department. Also arrested at that time was Amelia M. Valentin, 24 of Paterson. Amelia Valentin has been charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child and Hindering Apprehension, both of which are related to this on-going investigation. Both Daniel Wendt and Amelia Valentin will be held in the custody of the New York authorities pending extradition proceedings. Numerous law enforcement agencies took part in this investigation, including the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the Hanover Township Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section, and the New York Police Department. Prosecutor Knapp and Chief Gallagher wish to thank the Hanover Township Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office for the swift and safe apprehension of these subjects. “Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse worked tirelessly with Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit and the Hanover Police Department, who were led by Lt. Mark Roddy, Lt. Robert McNally and Sgt. Steven Brylinski to solve this case and swiftly bring this dangerous defendant to justice.” Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Hanover Township Police Department at 973-428-2512, or Crimestoppers at 973-267-2255.