Rowan University Student Charged with Gun Possession, Aggravated Assault after Matawan Shooting Incident

A Rowan University student is now facing serious criminal charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon and aggravated assault, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred in Matawan earlier this year.

According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 18-year-old Rowan University student Christopher Solomon was arrested on Monday, November 16th. The arrest followed an extensive investigation into a shooting that occurred just prior to 7:45 a.m. on March 1st at 27 Park Avenue in Matawan.

Officers from the Matawan Police Department received a report of an altercation involving numerous individuals during which gunshots were fired. When they arrived on the scene, those involved in the scuffle had scattered, leaving only evidence indicating that a firearm had been discharged. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident, but police launched a probe into the events leading up to the shooting, ultimately identifying Solomon as the primary suspect.

After he was taken into custody, Solomon was charged with multiple weapons offenses, including unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, as well as aggravated assault. He was being held in lieu of bail set at $50,000 at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold.

Among the crimes for which he is accused, unlawful possession of a weapon is classified as a second-degree crime in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, when the weapon involved is a firearm. As such, a conviction for this offense is punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.

In addition, unlawful possession of a handgun or other firearm is a crime governed by New Jersey’s Grave’s Act, which requires the imposition of a mandatory term of incarceration, along with a period of parole ineligibility fixed at, or between, one-third and one-half of a sentence imposed, or 3 years, whichever is greater.

For additional information related to this case, access the following article: Rowan U. student charged with firing gunshots during fight