MIDDLETOWN, NJ - Police confirmed that a 64-year-old man was hospitalized after being struck with a sledgehammer during an unprovoked attack at Crown Tire on Route 36 on Friday, April 5th.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Michael Gonzales, has been charged with attempted murder. Middletown Deputy Police Chief Paul J. Bailey said that he was detained at the scene by witnesses and then taken into custody by police once they arrived on scene. Bailey said that the victim suffered "significant injuries to his head" and he was transported by a helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Gonzales also allegedly pushed a female, causing her to fall and sustain injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Riverview Medical Center. Bailey said that preliminary investigations have determined that Gonzales struck the 64-year-old victim in the head multiple times with a hand-held sledgehammer.
On Friday, April 5th, after the violent incident happened, a post on Facebook identified the man as Rocky Granata, a native of Edison. Granata is reportedly known for driving around New Jersey in a recreational vehicle (RV) covered with President Donald Trump and Make American Great Again messages.
According to the Gateway Pundit, Granata, a beloved father and grandfather, attended Trump rallies and traveled across the country in his Trump-covered RV. He also sold merchandise.
Police have emphasized that the physical assault was not politically motivated, but instead a dispute among people who knew each other. On Granata's Facebook page, his daughter wrote that Gonzales "tried to murder my father today with a hammer to the head five time." That same post allegedly indicated an ongoing dispute between Granata and Gonzales.
In a comment on another post on Granata's Facebook, Krystal Calise wrote, "How dare he try to murder my father. Sick kid." In a different comment on the same post, Calise wrote, "No one throws five blows to the head of anyone without intention to kill. I can't believe I almost lost my father."
According to NJ101.5, Granata said that Gonzales is the son of his girlfriend of five years. He said, "When I met him, he had a heroin problem and he was a thief. His father just died of heroin and his other friends died. He's been in and out of different situations." Granata credits his Make America Great Again (MAGA) baseball cap for saving his life.
He said, "If I didn't have this hat on my head I'm sure that sledgehammer would have gone right through my head."
Chief Bailey said that Gonzales has also been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He is currently being held at the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township pending a detention hearing.
According to reports, the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Michael Gonzales, has been charged with attempted murder. Middletown Deputy Police Chief Paul J. Bailey said that he was detained at the scene by witnesses and then taken into custody by police once they arrived on scene. Bailey said that the victim suffered "significant injuries to his head" and he was transported by a helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
Gonzales also allegedly pushed a female, causing her to fall and sustain injuries. She was transported by ambulance to Riverview Medical Center. Bailey said that preliminary investigations have determined that Gonzales struck the 64-year-old victim in the head multiple times with a hand-held sledgehammer.
On Friday, April 5th, after the violent incident happened, a post on Facebook identified the man as Rocky Granata, a native of Edison. Granata is reportedly known for driving around New Jersey in a recreational vehicle (RV) covered with President Donald Trump and Make American Great Again messages.
According to the Gateway Pundit, Granata, a beloved father and grandfather, attended Trump rallies and traveled across the country in his Trump-covered RV. He also sold merchandise.
Police have emphasized that the physical assault was not politically motivated, but instead a dispute among people who knew each other. On Granata's Facebook page, his daughter wrote that Gonzales "tried to murder my father today with a hammer to the head five time." That same post allegedly indicated an ongoing dispute between Granata and Gonzales.
In a comment on another post on Granata's Facebook, Krystal Calise wrote, "How dare he try to murder my father. Sick kid." In a different comment on the same post, Calise wrote, "No one throws five blows to the head of anyone without intention to kill. I can't believe I almost lost my father."
According to NJ101.5, Granata said that Gonzales is the son of his girlfriend of five years. He said, "When I met him, he had a heroin problem and he was a thief. His father just died of heroin and his other friends died. He's been in and out of different situations." Granata credits his Make America Great Again (MAGA) baseball cap for saving his life.
He said, "If I didn't have this hat on my head I'm sure that sledgehammer would have gone right through my head."
Chief Bailey said that Gonzales has also been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes. He is currently being held at the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township pending a detention hearing.
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Comments
2024-04-14T23:16-0400 | Comment by: Mortimer
Typical leftist trained kid, thanks to our Socialist Public CessSchools!!!!