CLARK — A 79-year-old Clark resident is facing multiple counts of attempted murder and aggravated assault after barricading himself inside of a Stanton Street home during the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 3.
According to information provided by the Clark Police Department, officers arrived at the residential property (9 Stanton Street) at approximately 12:31 a.m. in response to reports of gunfire.
“A further investigation revealed a barricaded person with a weapon,” police said via press release Wednesday morning, identifying the suspect as Kenneth Kutyla.
Officers immediately called the Union County Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit, which arrived on the scene shortly thereafter.
Madison Hill Road was closed between Westfield Avenue and Stone Street for the duration of the incident, and three nearby residential homes, also on Harrison, were also reportedly evacuated.
Initial police communications indicate that Mr. Kutyla was taken into police custody without further incidents.
The Clark Police Department updated its communications later in the day on Wednesday to include the fact that Mr. Kutyla has now been charged with four counts of Attempted Murder, four counts of Aggravated Assault, four counts of Aggravated Assault With a Firearm and one count of Possession of a Firearm For An Unlawful Purpose.
He has been transported to the Union County Jail to await his first appearance.
Kutyla’s Facebook page identifies him as a graduate of Kean University and a former employee of PSE&G.
“The Clark Township Police Department would like to thank the Union County SWAT Team, the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit and the Rahway Police Department for their assistance in this investigation,” the Clark Police Department said via social media on Wednesday afternoon.
Requests for further information were not returned by the Clark Police Department at the time of publication.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Daniel Joy either via phone at (732-388-3434) or email at djoy@clarkpolice.org.
