Anibal Rodriguez of Perth Amboy is charged with murder in the death of Phillip Willis, 65, also of Perth Amboy. Rodriguez is charged with attempted murder in an attack of Willis' acquaintance, who remained hospitalized on Friday with multiple stab wounds, according to police and Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
Anibal Rodriguez, 75, was arrested on Sept. 3, 2015 and charged with murder following the death of Phillip Willis, 65, of Perth Amboy. (NJ.com file photo) PERTH AMBOY - A 75-year-old man was arrested Thursday in connection with the stabbing death of one man and a knife attack on a woman who knew the victim, authorities said.
Anibal Rodriguez of Perth Amboy is charged with murder in the death of Phillip Willis, 65, also of Perth Amboy.
Rodriguez is charged with attempted murder in an attack on Willis' acquaintance, who remained hospitalized on Friday with multiple stab wounds, according to police and Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
Investigators determined the dispute began about 1 p.m. in an apartment building on Madison Avenue, where Rodriguez allegedly stabbed a 36-year-old woman multiple times.
Rodriguez then threatened a man and woman with a knife after they came to help the screaming victim, officials said.
After fleeing the crime scene, Rodriguez walked toward Smith Street, where he encountered Phillip Willis.
Rodriguez recognized Willis as an acquaintance of the woman he had just stabbed and then stabbed him, the prosecutor said.
Middlesex County sheriff's officer Omar Smith and a passerby knocked Rodriguez to the ground where Smith was able to handcuff the suspect, the prosecutor said.
Rodriguez is being held on $1.7 million bail.
Willis was taken to Raritan Bay Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 1:45 p.m., authorities said.
PREVIOUSLY: 2 stabbed, 1 arrested in Perth Amboy
The woman who was stabbed was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she remained Friday. Her condition was not available.
In addition to murder, Rodriguez is charged with attempted murder and weapons possession, authorities said.
No motive was given for the attack.
On Friday, Perth Amboy Mayor Wilda Diaz released this statement:
"I want to extend my sincerest sympathies and prayers to the family and friends for the tragic loss of Mr. Phil Willis, who was a loved member of our community. I also want to thank the Perth Amboy Police Department and all involved in protecting our residents and community during the incident."
Anyone with information about the attacks is asked to call Detective Marchak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-3254, or Detective Mohamed of the Perth Amboy Police Department at (732) 442-4400.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.