Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Eder Gelin, 39, of Douglasville, Georgia, for an attempted murder and kidnapping which occurred in Franklin Township on Sunday, August 21.
Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald stated that on Sunday, August 21, at approximately 1:25 a.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a call for service to an area hotel located on World’s Fair Drive in Franklin Township in response to a report of a shooting.
Upon responding to the location, patrol officers located an adult female, 37, suffering from gunshot wounds to her hip and foot.
According to Prosecutor McDonald, the adult female victim advised officers that the suspect, Eder Gelin, who is known to the victim, had shot her and was located at the scene.
Responding Franklin Officers were able to apprehend Mr. Gelin without incident.
Prosecutor McDonald stated Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to investigate.
The investigation revealed that earlier in the evening, Gelin had been drinking alcohol and became irate and threatening towards the victim.
According to the investigation, Gelin subsequently brandished a handgun and held the victim at gunpoint in the presence of her two children for over an hour while inside the hotel room.
The victim stated to authorities that she was able to escape from Gelin, who chased after the victim and shot at her causing wounds to her foot and hip.
Responding Franklin Township Police Officers along with Emergency Medical personnel treated the victim at the scene and transported her to a local hospital for emergency treatment for her injuries.
The victim is expected to survive her injuries. Authorities were able to locate a handgun that was recovered from the scene.
Prosecutor McDonald stated as a result of this investigation, Gelin was arrested and transported to Franklin Township Police Department for processing.
Gelin was charged with Attempted Murder, Kidnapping, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
According to Prosecutor McDonald, Gelin was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Somerset County officials request anyone with information relating to the shooting to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.