On Thursday 11/14/13 at 9:52 p.m. officers from the Elizabeth Police Department responded to a rooming house at 376 Morris Avenue on a report of a man stabbed. At that location they found a 52-year-old victim who was subsequently transported to University Hospital in Newark with multiple stab wounds. The victim was listed in critical condition. Officers also responded to 376 Morris Avenue on Friday at 1:30 p.m. and found 67-year-old John Forte in his room, an apparent victim of a homicide.
An investigation by Elizabeth detectives into the initial stabbing resulted in the issuance of a warrant for 34-year-old Alexander Kerton, a resident of 376 Morris Avenue in Elizabeth. Mr. Kerton also uses the names Kevin Kerton and Kevin Cooper. He is described as a black male, approximately 6-foot-1, 180 pounds, with very short black hair and brown eyes. The subject does not have a vehicle and frequently travels by train or bus. Anyone with information about this individual is being asked to immediately call the Elizabeth Police Department at 908-558-2011 or Detective Raymond Smith at 908-558-2017.
A reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment is being offered by the Union County Crime Stoppers; tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting “UCTIP” and a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org.