FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. — A 60-year-old man has been charged with murder after an overnight standoff at a Somerset County home where police later discovered a woman stabbed to death inside.
TL;DR: Craig Montgomery, 60, was charged with murder and weapons offenses after barricading himself inside a Majesty Lane home in Franklin Township on the night of Oct. 6. A SWAT team breached the home around 1:50 a.m. Oct. 7 after Montgomery allegedly charged officers with a knife. Officers then found a woman dead from apparent stab wounds to her chest.
Welfare check turns into a standoff
The incident began at 10:11 p.m. on Oct. 6, when Franklin Township police received a 911 call requesting a welfare check at the home on Majesty Lane, MyCentralJersey.com reported, citing Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald.
Officers responded and made several attempts to contact the residents but got no answer. Police later received a second welfare-check call and returned to the home. As officers attempted to enter, they encountered Montgomery, who told them he had a knife and was barricaded inside, according to the prosecutor.
SWAT team breaches the home
Franklin Township police requested assistance from the Somerset County SWAT team, which arrived at about 1:50 a.m. on Oct. 7. According to McDonald, SWAT officers breached a sliding door and entered the residence — at which point Montgomery allegedly charged at officers with a knife.
SWAT team members subdued Montgomery and took him into custody. The barricade, which stretched into the early morning hours of Wednesday, ended without any officers being seriously hurt.
Woman found dead inside
After Montgomery was taken into custody, officers searched the home and found an adult woman dead with apparent stab wounds to her chest. Authorities have not publicly identified the victim. A second person who was inside the home was unharmed, officials said.
The New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to positively identify the victim and determine the official cause and manner of death.
Charges and custody
Montgomery is charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Prosecutor McDonald announced. After the barricade ended, Montgomery was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment of minor injuries. He is expected to be transferred to the Somerset County Jail upon his release.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information 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. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Somerset County Tip Line at 888-577-TIPS (8477).
Montgomery, like all criminal defendants, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Sources: MyCentralJersey.com; Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.
Featured photo: Somerset County, New Jersey. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Craig Montgomery?
Craig Montgomery, 60, is a Franklin Township, New Jersey, man charged with murder and weapons offenses after an Oct. 6–7 barricade incident at a Majesty Lane home where a woman was found stabbed to death.
What happened at the Franklin Township home?
Police responded to welfare-check calls on the night of Oct. 6. Montgomery barricaded himself inside, telling officers he had a knife. A SWAT team breached the home around 1:50 a.m. Oct. 7, subdued Montgomery after he allegedly charged officers with a knife, and then found a woman dead inside from apparent stab wounds.
Who was the victim?
Authorities have not publicly identified the victim. An autopsy by the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office will confirm her identity and the cause and manner of death.
What charges does Montgomery face?
He is charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John McDonald.
Was anyone else hurt?
A second person inside the home was unharmed, officials said. Montgomery was taken to a hospital for evaluation of minor injuries after his arrest. No officers were reported seriously hurt.
Where is Montgomery now?
He was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after the barricade ended and is expected to be transferred to the Somerset County Jail upon release.
How can I share information about this case?
Contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533, or the anonymous tip line at 888-577-TIPS (8477).
