Police say act happened following break-up with girlfriend.
By: Leon Tovey
MONROE A 25-year-old New York man apparently committed suicide in the Outcault section of the township Sunday after breaking up with his girlfriend the day before, police said.
Lt. Anthony Cook said Wednesday that officers responding to a report of a man with a gun threatening to kill himself at 10:55 p.m. Sunday found Giuseppe Petti of the Bronx, N.Y., lying on his back in the middle of Budapest Street.
Mr. Petti had what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Lt. Cook said. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced dead on arrival, Lt. Cook said.
Lt. Cook said the incident is still under investigation, but according to Mr. Petti’s girlfriend, a resident of Budapest Street, Mr. Petti became distraught after the couple quarreled and broke up on Saturday.
Mr. Petti apparently returned to his home in the Bronx Saturday night, but returned to his girlfriend’s house Sunday night, threatening to kill himself, Lt. Cook said.
Lt. Cook said officers found a Cobra .38 Special revolver under Mr. Petti’s body that appeared to be the weapon used in the shooting. The gun was not registered in New Jersey and police are awaiting a registration check in New York.
Lt. Cook said police are still awaiting the results of a toxicology report, but Mr. Petti did not have a history of drug use or depression.
"This was a surprise to his family and everyone else we’ve talked to," Lt. Cook said.