Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Makes an Arrest in Recent Homicide

SOMERVILLE, N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Francisco Roman Jr., and Somerville Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced the arrest of David C. Shroitman, age 27, Brookside Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey for the homicide of Mary Rose Fealey, age 27, North Bridge Street, Somerville, New Jersey.Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, at approximately 10:20 p.m. Somerville Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting an injured unresponsive female located outside of residential complex on North Bridge Street, Somerville, N.J. Responding Officers located Ms. Fealey with multiple apparent stab wounds. Officers initiated life-saving measures at the scene along with responding medical personnel. 

Ms. Fealey was pronounced deceased at the scene. Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Somerville Police Department along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, and Medical Investigators from the New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. A postmortem examination was performed on February 1, 2024, by the Medical Examiner’s Office who positively identified the victim and determined the cause of death as multiple stab wounds and ruled the manner of death as homicide. Prosecutor McDonald stated that since the discovery of Ms. Fealey, investigators assigned to the investigation worked relentlessly to identify the suspect involved. On Sunday, February 4, 2024, Investigators obtained a Somerset County Superior Court Ordered Search for the residence of Mr. Shroitman, his vehicle and person. 

Shortly after 11:00 p.m. detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office along with Somerville Police Detectives and Somerville Patrol Officers executed the search warrant and located Mr. Shroitman who was detained by authorities. Prosecutor McDonald stated based on the investigation conducted Mr. Shroitman was formally arrested and charged on Monday, February 5, 2024. Defendant Shroitman is charged with 1st degree Murder, 3rd degree Possession of a Weapon, 4th degree Tampering with Physical Evidence, and 3rd degree Hindering Apprehension. 

The investigation revealed that defendant Shroitman was known to the victim. The investigation is on-going, and further details are not available for release to maintain the integrity of the investigation. Defendant Shroitman was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.Prosecutor McDonald commends all the law enforcement involved in the investigation, as well as all the members in the community and the public that came forward with tips as they related towards this homicide investigation.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Roman, and Chief Manning request anyone with information relating to this investigation to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Somerville Police Department at (908) 725-0331 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. 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. NOTE: The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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