70-Year-Old Man Charged After Accidentally Shooting 89-Year-Old Woman At New Jersey Pizzeria

An 89-year-old woman was shot in the left leg Monday at Frank’s Pizza on Route 206 in the Flanders section of Mount Olive and was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Authorities say 70-year-old William H. Schmieding of Whitehouse Station accidentally discharged a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard after removing it from his holster to clear ammunition, and the round struck the woman. Schmieding, who holds a handgun carry permit, was arrested at the scene and is being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault counts and weapons offenses for prohibited carrying and violating safe-firearm-carry requirements. The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, Mount Olive Township Police, the Morris County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Major Crimes Unit are assisting in an ongoing investigation.