Husband Accidentally Fatally Shoots Wife While Clearing Gun

A tragic incident occurred last Friday, April 5, when Patricia Novak, a 76-year-old woman, was accidentally killed by a gunshot fired by her husband, Robert Novak, 82, in their Edison, New Jersey home. The couple had been married for 57 years.

According to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone, police in Edison, New Jersey were summoned to the Glencourt Avenue residence following a 911 call reporting an accidental shooting around 2:09 p.m. Upon their arrival, law enforcement found Patricia Novak suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where she was later pronounced dead.

The investigation, led by Edison Detective Christian Paone and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Jose Rosario, indicated that the incident occurred when Robert Novak was attempting to unload a legally owned firearm on the first floor of their home. The bullet fired accidentally, traveling through the floor and into the basement where it struck his wife.

After hearing his wife’s cries, Robert Novak rushed to the basement and promptly called 911. He has been forthcoming with details about the incident, actively cooperating with the ongoing investigation.

The firearm involved in the unfortunate event was recovered from the scene by the authorities.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office alongside the Edison Police Department is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The community and the Novak family are grappling with the loss of Patricia Novak as the authorities continue to unravel the specifics of the incident.

Patricia Novak, in 2016, gave the public a rare glimpse into their life when she shared their anniversary photo from a trip to Hawaii, referring to it as a “golden” anniversary.

Patricia’s obituary revealed that she was a native of Edison and worked as a secretary. She met her husband Robert on a blind date, and they married on September 24, 1966. They chose to raise their family in Edison. Patricia is survived by her husband Robert, their daughter, son, and grandchildren, who are mourning her untimely demise.

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