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Landlord Shoots Girlfriend of Tenant: Police

A woman is in the hospital after sources say a feud between a landlord and his tenant led to a shooting in Middle Township, New Jersey Tuesday night.

William Ries, 70, was arrested and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Police say he shot a 62-year-old woman in the chest Tuesday around 6:15 p.m. outside her boyfriend’s home on Church Road in Middle Township. NBC10 obtained the 911 call Ries allegedly made moments after the shooting.

“911 what is your emergency?” the operator asks.
“Yeah, 38 Church Road,” says a man identified by police as Ries.
“Yes sir. What’s the problem?” asks the operator.
“I just shot somebody,” the man says.
“Excuse me?” asks the operator.
“I just shot somebody,” the man replies.

Ries is the landlord of the home on Church Road and lives in another part of the house, according to investigators. Prosecutors say he fired two rounds from a handgun, one of which struck the woman. Investigators told NBC10 they believe the woman's 59-year-old boyfriend who lives in the home was Ries’ intended target.

“I was shooting at [[the boyfriend]],” the man says in the 911 call. “I think his girlfriend got it though.”
“Why were you doing that sir?” the operator asks.
“Ah, just come out here,” the man says. “I’ll get my lawyer.”

The woman was airlifted to the Atlantic City Medical Center where she is currently in stable condition. Her boyfriend was not hurt during the incident.

While sources believe the incident was sparked by an ongoing dispute between Ries and his tenant, police have not yet revealed what led to the problems between the two men. Ries is currently being held in the Cape May County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
 

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