Arrest Made in Kinnelon Murder

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp and Kinnelon Borough Police Chief John Schwartz announce the arrest of Travis J. Hofstetter, eighteen (18) years old, of Kinnelon, New Jersey on charges related to the shooting death of his father, James E. Hofstetter, age fifty-seven (57), inside their Kinnelon residence located at 15 Wedgewood Drive in Kinnelon, New Jersey. 

On February 15, 2015 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Kinnelon Borough Police were dispatched to the residence at 15 Wedgewood Drive on the report of an unknown medical emergency.

Upon arrival, officers from the Kinnelon Borough Police Department located a deceased male, identified as James E. Hofstetter.  The decedent suffered from apparent gunshot wounds. 

Travis J. Hofstetter, the son of the decedent, was later arrested by officers with the Hardyston Township Police Department near the Skylands Ice World, located on Route 23 in Stockholm, New Jersey.  

Numerous law enforcement agencies took part in this investigation, including the Major Crimes Unit of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, the Kinnelon Borough Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section, the Hardyston Township Police Department, and the Morris County Medical Examiner's Office.   

On February 16, 2015, Travis J. Hofstetter was charged with one count of Murder, a crime of the first degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); one count of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, a crime of the second degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a; and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, a crime of the second degree, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b.  Bail was set at $750,000 cash only, with additional conditions.  The defendant was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility.

The charges and allegations are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-6200, the Kinnelon Borough Police Department at (973) 838-5400, or Crimestoppers at 973-267-2255.

Any inquiries regarding this press release may be directed to First Assistant Prosecutor Thomas A. Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.