A son with a history of mental issues stabbed his parents in their New Jersey home Monday night, killing his mother, law enforcement sources say.
Michael Litwornia, 27, has been arrested in the stabbings, prosecutors announced. He's facing charges of first-degree homicide and second-degree aggravated assault.
Police were called to the Washington Valley Road home at about 8 p.m. Monday and found Litwornia's 61-year-old father outside with deep stab wounds, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's office. He told officers his son had attacked him.
Police went into the home and found a 61-year-old woman, identified by sources as Litwornia's mother, also suffering multiple stab wounds. She was rushed out of the house but declared dead at the scene, prosecutors said.
Litwornia, meanwhile, barricaded himself inside, prompting police to either evacuate or shelter neighoring homes as a safety measure.
SWAT and hostage negotiators tried to reach Litwornia, but he refused to respond, according to authorities. Finally, a mechanical robot was sent into the home and located Litwornia lying on a couch.
That's when SWAT stormed into the home; Litwornia tried to grab a sharp object, but was quickly subdued and taken into custody, prosecutors said.
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He had self-inflicted stab wounds on his body, and was taken to a local hospital for treament.
His father is in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery at an area trauma center, authorities say. It wasn't clear if Litwornia has an attorney. He's still hospitalized and will be placed at Somerset County Jail when he's released, prosecutors say.
