Crime & Safety

Florham Park Man Accused of Trying to Kill Cops With Explosive Device

Daniel Silvio Fargnoli, 31, was charged with attempted murder and other offenses following several-hour standoff with authorities.

A 31-year-old Florham Park man lobbed a molotov cocktail at law enforcement officials after a seemingly routine welfare check went bad Tuesday at the Avalon apartment community, according to a release from the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

Florham Park cops responded to a Dixon Drive home at approximately 2:45 p.m. to conduct a welfare check on the Daniel Silvio Fargnoli at the request of his family, according to police.

When cops found Fargnoli inside the home, he confronted and threatened officers, according to a release issued by the prosecutor's office Wednesday. 

Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Fargnoli told cops he had a gun and a bomb, then barricaded himself in the residence, police said.

Cops tried to negotiate with Fargnoli, but officials say he refused to have any contact with them. 

Find out what's happening in East Hanover-Florham Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

When cops spotted Fargnoli trying to light what they believed to be a molotov cocktail, members of the Morris County Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team entered the home. Fargnoli was standing on the landing of a staircase above them with a molotov cocktail, now lit, again threatening officers.

That’s when police say Fargnoli tossed the ignited incendiary device their way, its accelerant splashing on at least one of the officers.

Cops, with the assistance of a police dog, took Fargnoli—who used physical force to resist arrest—into custody, according to officials.

Police found a knife on Fargnoli during a search, according to the release. 

A Morris County SERT officer fired his gun, according to police, but no one was shot.

Cops charged Fargnoli with attempted murder, several weapons possession charges, attempted arson, making terroristic threats, and resisting arrest.

Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric Knapp said Wednesday that his office was conducting an investigation into the incident. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.