On Saturday, September 24, 2022, at approximately 4:42 a.m., Franklin Township Police Department officers responded to the parking lot of Villari’s Sports Bar, Coles Mill Road, Franklinville for the report of a male who sustained a single gunshot wound to the head.
Upon arrival, Franklin PD officers identified the victim as 31-year-old Chad Stuart, of Clayton, who was airlifted to Cooper Hospital in Camden.
The suspect, 25-year-old Walter “Wally” Gilliano, of Franklin Township, remained on the scene and was taken into custody.
The victim and suspect, who were known to each other, had a verbal altercation prior to the shooting.
Through immediate follow-up investigation, detectives from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and Franklin Township Police Department promptly charged Gilliano with the following crimes: Criminal Attempted Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession of Weapon Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
Gilliano was lodged in the Salem County Correctional Facility pending further proceedings.
Chad Stuart has died as a result of injuries sustained from the gunshot wound.
On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Gilliano was charged with the murder of Stuart.
Anyone with additional information relevant to this investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Eric Bailey of the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, at 856-384-5685, or Detective Alex Fragoso of the Franklin Township Police Department, at 856-694-1415 ext. 207.
Information can also be e-mailed to the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office at tips@co.gloucester.nj.us.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of their rights as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State Law.