A 14-year-old borough resident is accused of assaulting a 95-year-old man who later died from his injuries. He faces murder and endangering charges in the case.
By Matt Skoufalos | January 15, 2021
Camden County Prosecutor’s Office logo. Credit: CCPO.
UPDATE: (January 19, 2021): A Collingswood teenager who stands accused of assaulting a senior resident at their apartment complex will face first-degree murder charges in the case.
According to reports from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO), 95-year-old Anthony Donofrio was attacked by a blindside punch from a 14-year-old in the Parkview Apartments on January 7.
Detectives say that video footage shows Donofrio was walking through a group of teens playing in the lobby of the apartment building, when one of them allegedly ran after him, punched him in the side of the head, and violently shoved him to the ground.
Authorities responded to the incident around 7:30 p.m. January 7, evacuating Donofrio to a nearby hospital. His condition eventually worsened, and Donofrio died from those injuries a week later. On January 15, a medical examiner determined that his death was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
The teenager, who is not identified due to his age, is being held in a juvenile facility. He was initially charged with second-degree Aggravated Assault and fourth-degree Endangering Another Person, but after Donofrio died from his injuries, will face first-degree Murder and third-degree Endangering an Injured Victim charges.
It’s the fifth death in six years at the 2,000-resident complex.
“It’s a horrible tragedy all around,” said Collingswood Mayor Jim Maley. “Our condolences go out to both the families. We’ll be doing all we can to assist.”
The teen faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. In New Jersey, the youngest age at which juvenile may be tried as an adult is 15.
All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. An arrest is not a conviction.
