By: Richard L. Smith
A Highland Park man has been convicted and sentenced in connection with a violent road rage incident in Franklin Township, where he fired shots at another driver while his young children were in the car.
The case concluded with a Somerset County jury finding the defendant guilty after a weeklong trial, according to a statement released by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Gerald S. Chapman, 41, 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.
On November 15, 2024, Superior Court Judge Peter J. Tober sentenced Chapman to five years in state prison, requiring him to serve at least 42 months before becoming eligible for parole.
The charges stemmed from a road rage altercation that occurred on May 5, 2023, along Easton Avenue near the Interstate 287 North exit ramp.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Chapman and the victim, identified as John Doe, became involved in a traffic dispute.
Witnesses testified that Chapman pulled up next to the victim’s car and struck the passenger-side mirror with his hand, leaving behind identifiable fingerprints.
Moments later, Chapman drove behind and then alongside the victim’s vehicle, drew a 9mm handgun, and fired two shots.
The bullets shattered the driver’s side window and struck the rear driver-side door as the victim stood outside his car, attempting to fix the mirror. Fortunately, the victim was not injured.
The trial also revealed that Chapman’s one-and-a-half-year-old and four-year-old daughters were in his vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Following the incident, he disposed of the firearm and attempted to eliminate other evidence from his vehicle to hinder law enforcement’s investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutors Michael McLaughlin and Lorina Murphy, with support from Litigation Paralegal Amy Vandergoot.
Their efforts led to the conviction, which Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office officials described as a critical step in ensuring accountability for Chapman’s reckless and dangerous actions. 
“This conviction and sentencing reflect our commitment to holding individuals accountable for endangering public safety, especially when young children are involved,” the prosecutor’s office said in its statement.
Chapman’s prison term serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of such behavior, authorities added, noting the importance of justice for the victim and the community.