Chad Stuart

Chad Stuart, a 31-year-old White man from Clayton, New Jersey, was known as a kind and vibrant individual. He worked as a server and coached youth basketball. Friends and family remembered him as an amazing friend with an infectious smile, a man with strong religious faith who also loved the restaurant business, health, and fitness. The youth basketball league he coached later created an award in his honor.

In the predawn hours of September 24, 2022, a dispute in the parking lot of Villari's Sports Bar in Franklinville ended tragically. The bar had already closed when Stuart became involved in a verbal altercation with Walter "Wally" Gilliano, a 25-year-old Marine Corps reservist from Franklinville whom he knew. According to prosecutors, the argument escalated, and Gilliano got into his car and drove away. An eyewitness said he returned just minutes later, now armed with a handgun, pointed the weapon at Stuart, and fired.

Stuart was shot once in the head. It was Gilliano who called 911 to report the shooting. When Franklin Township police arrived around 4:40 a.m., they found him at the scene. Emergency services airlifted Stuart to a hospital in Camden, but his injuries were catastrophic. He died on September 28, 2022. His family shared that in death, Stuart gave the gift of life to others through organ donation.

Police took Gilliano into custody at the scene, where he told officers that he had shot Stuart. He was initially charged with attempted murder, but the charge was upgraded to first-degree murder following Stuart's death. He also faced related assault and weapons offenses and was held at the Salem County Correctional Facility to await trial.

Following a four-week jury trial in Gloucester County Superior Court, Walter Gilliano was convicted on March 3, 2026. The jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and two related weapons offenses. On May 7, 2026, a judge sentenced Gilliano to 40 years in New Jersey state prison. According to the ruling, he must serve 34 years of the sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This was the latest development in the case as of May 2026.