N.J. man charged in fatal stabbing of woman, father, prosecutor says

Michael Litwornia, 27, of Bridgewater, has been charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman and the stabbing of his father in a township residence on April 17, 2017, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.

BRIDGEWATER - A township man has been charged in the fatal stabbing of a woman and the stabbing of his father at a township residence on Monday night, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said Tuesday.

Michael Litwornia (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)

Michael Litwornia, 27, was taken into custody a little more than two-and-a-half hours after the stabbings were first reported at 8:20 p.m., Robertson said.

A remote-controlled robot was sent into the Washington Valley Road residence after Litwornia barricaded himself inside and refused to communicate, a camera showing he was lying on a couch, Robertson said.

Members of the Somerset County SWAT stormed the residence at 11 p.m., Robertson said. Litwornia attempted to grab a sharp instrument, but was quickly subdued and taken into custody, he said.

Litwornia, who was taken to a local hospital to be treated for self-inflicted wounds, has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree aggravated assault, Robertson said.

Township police, responding to a 9-1-1 call at the residence in the Martinsville section of the township, had found the homeowner, a 61-year-old man, outside with severe stab wounds and lacerations, Robertson said. The name of the victim was not released.

The victim told the officers that his son had attacked him. He was transported to an area hospital for emergency surgery, Robertson said, and is listed in critical condition.

Moments later, additional officers found a 61-year-old woman inside the residence with multiple stab wounds and lacerations, Robertson said. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her identity is being withheld pending the notification of the next of kin.

Local police called Somerset County SWAT team and hostage and crisis negotiators, with officers surrounded the house and evacuating neighbors, Robertson said.

Litwornia remains at an area hospital under police guard, Robertson. When released, he will be held at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing. Robertson said the investigation is ongoing.

Detectives from the township police department, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics Unit, and the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner's Office, also responded to conduct an investigation, Robertson said.

Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Bridgewater Township Police Department 908-722-4111 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE.

All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.