Middletown Police Arrest Man Following Attack on Pro-Trump Bus Driver
The assailant is being lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a retention hearing.
Middletown – On April 5, 2024, Middletown Twp. Police responded to Crown Tire, located at 330 State Route 36 in the Port Monmouth section, after receiving a report of an assault involving a hammer.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a 64-year-old man from Edison, with significant injuries to his head. The suspect, Michael Gonzalez, 36, of Philadelphia, had been detained by witnesses at the scene and was promptly taken into custody by police.
A Facebook post from Crown Tire states:
Unfortunately earlier today there was an incident in the Crown Tire Port Monmouth parking lot, no staff members were involved and both parties are OK. Thank you for any concerns.
An Investigation showed that Gonzales had struck the victim in the head multiple times with a hand-held sledgehammer. The victim was transported by medivac helicopter to Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune.
The male victim has been identified as the owner of a pro-Donald Trump bus that has been seen across New Jersey. Police have not designated this incident as politically motivated nor a hate crime.
During the course of that attack, the suspect also pushed a female, causing her to fall and sustain injuries as well. The female victim was transported by ambulance to Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.
Police are not releasing the names of either victim at this time. Police advised that this incident was not a random attack as Gonzales is connected to both victims.
Gonzalez is being charged with one count of Attempted Murder, one count of Aggravated Assault, as well as Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes. Gonzales is being lodged in the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a retention hearing.
Any persons arrested or charged with offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information and names of those charged may be released.
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