SOMERVILLE, N.J. - Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Bound Brook Borough Chief of Police Vito Bet announced the arrest of Michael Washington, 27, of Madison Street, Paterson, New Jersey.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, October 16, at approximately 6:23 p.m., Bound Brook Police responded to 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired near Church Street and East Second Street.
Responding officers located a male victim, who was later identified as William Roberts, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso. He was transported to a local trauma center for emergency treatment where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that detectives established that the shooting was an isolated incident and that the victim was the intended target.
The investigation, conducted by detectives from the Bound Brook Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, revealed that Michael Washington was the individual responsible for shooting Mr. Roberts.
This morning, at approximately 11:00 a.m., detectives responded to a Cherry Street residence in Bound Brook where defendant Washington was observed attempting to flee the residence through a rear door.
He was immediately taken into custody without incident.
Defendant Washington was charged with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, 2nd degree possession a firearm without a permit to carry.
After processing at Bound Brook Police headquarters, defendant Washington was remanded to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
There charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty