By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Somerset County announced the guilty verdict of charges contained in the indictment of Eder Gelin, 40, of Douglasville, Georgia, in relation to an attempted murder that occurred at a hotel in Franklin Township on Sunday, August 21, 2022.
Prosecutor McDonald stated the matter was presented in trial in Superior Court to the Honorable Peter J. Tober, P.J.Cr., by Assistant Prosecutor Rory Eaton.
According to officials, on January 18, 2024, after deliberations, the jury found defendant Gelin guilty on charges of 1st-degree Attempted Murder, 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, 2nd-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, two counts of 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child and 3rd degree Endangering the Welfare of Another Person.
Officials said charges stemming from the August 21, 2022, incident where Gelin shot the victim three times in and around a hotel located in Franklin Township as the victim attempted to flee.
Authorities say that on Sunday, August 21, 2022, 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, officials stated.
Officials said the adult female victim advised officers that the suspect, Eder Gelin, who is known to the victim, had shot her.
Responding Franklin Officers were able to locate and apprehend Mr. Gelin without incident, officials say.
Prosecutor McDonald stated Detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to investigate.
According to officials, the investigation revealed that earlier in the evening, Gelin had been drinking alcohol and becoming irate and threatening towards the victim.
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, officials say.
Authorities say the victim stated to authorities that she was able to escape from Gelin, who chased 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, officials said.
Authorities were able to locate a handgun which was recovered from the scene.
Prosecutor McDonald stated that, resulting from this investigation, defendant Gelin was arrested and transported to Franklin Township Police Department for processing.
Officials said Gelin was charged with 1st-degree Attempted Murder, 1st-degree Kidnapping, 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, 2nd-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and 2nd degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
A sentencing date for defendant Gelin has been scheduled with the Somerset County Superior Court for March 8, 2024, officials stated.