Georgia man charged with kidnapping, shooting woman at Franklin hotel
FRANKLIN (Somerset) - A 39-year-old Georgia man is facing attempted murder and kidnapping charges in connection with allegedly shooting a 37-year-old woman at at hotel, where he was holding her and her children.
Besides attempted murder and kidnapping, both first degree crimes, Eder Gelin, of Douglasville, Georgia also has been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child, Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather announced.
Gelin, who knows the victim, is being held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Around 1:25 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022 Franklin police responded to a call for service at a World's Fair Drive hotel in response to a reported shooting. When police arrived they located a 37-year-old woman suffering from gunshot wounds to her hip and foot. The woman reported Gelin shot her and he was at the scene. Gelin was apprehended by police without incident, McDonald said.
A further investigation by detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit revealed that earlier in the evening Gelin had been drinking alcohol, became irate and threatened the woman.
Gelin allegedly brandished a handgun and held the woman at gunpoint in the presence of her two children for more than an hour while inside a hotel room. The victim said she was able to escape from Gelin, who chased after her and shot her causing wounds to her foot and hip, McDonald said.
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The woman was treated at the scene by Franklin police officers and emergency medical personnel before being transported to a local hospital for treatment for her injuries. Her injuries are not considered life threatening, McDonald said. Authorities were able to locate a handgun which was recovered from the scene.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked 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 or via the STOPit app. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Georgia man charged with kidnapping, shooting woman at Franklin hotel
