A New Jersey man known locally for driving an RV with signs showing support for former President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement was brutally attacked with a hammer last week. report It shows that the crime was not politically related.
Last Friday, Rocky Granata, a 64-year-old father and grandfather, drove his popular Trump RV to Crown Tire in Middletown, New Jersey, about 40 miles southeast of Newark. It is unclear whether the vehicle was there for maintenance. Apparently, during Granata’s visit to the store, police said he was struck multiple times in the head with Granata’s sledgehammer, causing “serious injuries.”
Granata was immediately taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment. Some social media posts from people said to be familiar with the incident claim he is “recovering” and may even have been released from hospital. report has not been confirmed.
A woman was also pushed to the ground during the incident and suffered unspecified injuries. She was taken by ambulance to Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.
Witnesses to the assault were able to detain the suspect. Michael Gonzalez, 36, of Philadelphia, was an acquaintance of both victims.a message A post on Granata’s Facebook account, apparently written by Granata’s daughter, claims: “Michael Gonzalez tried to kill my father five times in the head with a hammer today.” did.
The daughter also claimed that Gonzalez and her mother were a “constant danger” to her family, especially her father. “Both should be arrested and prosecuted.” for [their] crime. Please help us spread the word,” she wrote. Her daughter later walked back a bit on her own statement, imploring her followers not to do that.threaten“Gonzalez’s mother.
Police said they do not believe Mr. Granata was targeted because of his political views, as at least one of the suspects and the victim has a history of bad blood.another facebook post A post shared by Granata’s account reiterated that idea: “It was never about Trump, it was just a controversy.”
Gonzalez was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He remains in custody at the Monmouth County Jail.
Below is a January 2020 NJ.com video of Granata and his beloved Trump ride.
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