Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 31, 2026, Jaden Thompson, 19, of Freehold, pled guilty before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., to Attempted Murder, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, and Eluding, all in connection with events that occurred in Jackson Township on November 27, 2025, and in Edison Township (Middlesex County) on November 28, 2026. At the time of his sentencing on October 23, 2026, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the Attempted Murder charge, which will be subject to the terms of No Early Release Act (NERA). Additionally, the State will be seeking a term of five years NJSP as to the Endangering charge and five years NJSP as to the Eluding charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
On November 27, 2025, Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the Paragon Apartments on Larsen Road for a report of an individual who had been stabbed. Responding Officers found a female with a stab wound to the abdomen. Officers also found a 19-month-old infant lying in the area where the stabbing occurred; the infant was uninjured. The female was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where she was treated and ultimately released. A subsequent investigation revealed that Thompson was the individual responsible for stabbing the victim. Further investigation revealed that Thompson had fled the area in a black Hyundai Sonata; on November 27, 2025, Thompson was charged accordingly and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database.
On November 28, 2025, Officers from the Edison Township Police Department identified the motor vehicle being utilized by Thompson. As Officers attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on Thompson’s vehicle, Thompson recklessly sped away and ultimately crashed the vehicle. Thompson then attempted to flee on foot but was taken into custody in the near vicinity. On November 29, 2025, Thompson was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been detained since that date.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Jackson Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Edison Township Police Department, Borough of Carteret Police Department, and United States Marshal’s Service, for their combined efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Thompson’s guilty pleas








