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(NEW YORK) — A New Jersey family made an out-of-this-world discovery this week.

After a mysterious black rock was found in a Trenton-area home that had apparently damaged the ceiling and floor, the homeowner and his children went searching for answers.

Suzy Kop found the metallic rock on Monday in an upstairs bedroom in her father’s home in Hopewell Township.

“It was warm. It definitely was warm,” Kop told Philadelphia ABC station WPVI-TV. “I just thought it was a random rock from outside. Why would it be in a bedroom?”

She also noticed there were two holes in the ceiling — one where the 4-by-6-inch rock entered the home and another after it likely ricocheted across the room before coming to a rest on the floor, which was also slightly damaged.

“I’m looking up on the ceiling and there’s these two holes, and I’m like, what in the world has happened here?” Kop told WPVI.

The family suspected a meteorite might have crash-landed through the roof of the house and into the room. They reached out to police to help them figure out the origins of the rock and if it was safe. The Hopewell Township Police Department in turn reached out to several entities, including The College of New Jersey, about the object, in “positively identifying the object and safeguarding the residents and the object,” the department said.

“I got a message from a colleague saying the Hopewell PD was going to call me. And I was like, ‘Why?'” Shannon Graham, a geophysicist at The College of New Jersey in nearby Ewing Township, told WPVI with a laugh.

Based on the photos and description, Graham also suspected the object was a meteorite — remnants of meteoroids that make it through the atmosphere and hit the ground — but told WPVI that the college’s scanning electron microscope would be able to tell if this was metal from space or Earth.

On Thursday, The College of New Jersey physics professor Nate Magee confirmed the object was indeed from outer space.

In addition to images from the scanning electron microscope, scientists relied on density measurements, visual examination and input from retired meteorite expert Jerry Delaney to confirm this to be a rare finding of a stony chondrite meteorite, the college said.

“Getting the chance to examine the meteorite yesterday was a rare and thrilling opportunity for me, as well as for a group of physics students and professors at TCNJ,” Magee said in a statement Thursday. “We are excited to be able to confirm that the object is a true chondrite meteorite, in excellent condition, and one of a very small number of similar witnessed chondrite falls known to science.”

The 2.2-pound meteorite is estimated to be approximately 4.56 billion years old — a little older than the Earth. It is likely to be named based on the nearest postal address — which would make it the Titusville, NJ meteorite, the college said.

The family told WPVI they plan to keep the rare space rock in a safe and undisclosed location.

Police had noted the incident could possibly be related to a weeks-long meteor shower called Eta Aquarids that is active right now.

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(NEW YORK) — Daniel Penny turned himself in to New York City police on Friday to face criminal charges in connection with the chokehold death of Jordan Neely aboard a subway train.

Penny, 24, was seen walking in to the New York City Police Department’s 5th Precinct in Chinatown shortly after 8 a.m. ET. He’s expected to appear in court Friday afternoon.

Penny, a former U.S. Marine, did not address the media outside, but his lawyer, Tom Kenniff, told reporters that he “turned himself in here voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his dignity of service to this grateful nation.”

Penny’s surrender came one day after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed that he would be arrested on a charge of second-degree manslaughter.

Neely family attorney Lennon Edwards is advocating for second-degree murder charges, saying Penny should have known Neely could die after seeing him struggle during the chokehold.

Penny “acted with indifference,” Neely family attorney Donte Mills said at a news conference hours after Penny turned himself in. “And we can’t let that stand.”

“For everybody saying, ‘I’ve been on the train and I’ve been afraid before, and I can’t tell you what I would’ve done in that situation.’ I’m gonna tell you — ask how you can help,” Mills told reporters. “Please, don’t attack. Don’t choke, don’t kill, don’t take someone’s life.”

“We don’t want anybody afraid on the subway,” Mills said. “But we want people to look at those that may be there in that situation and say, ‘Why?’ And, ‘How can I help them or make a difference?'”

Neely died following a chokehold on May 1. Video showed Penny putting Neely in a chokehold following outbursts from Neely on an F train.

Attorneys for Penny said in a statement Thursday night that they are confident that “once all the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are brought to bear, Mr. Penny will be fully absolved of any wrongdoing.”

“When Mr. Penny, a decorated Marine veteran, stepped in to protect himself and his fellow New Yorkers, his well-being was not assured. He risked his own life and safety, for the good of his fellow passengers,” said the statement from the law firm of Raiser and Kenniff. “The unfortunate result was the unintended and unforeseen death of Mr. Neely.”

Neely was homeless at the time of his death. Some witnesses reportedly told police that Neely was yelling and harassing passengers on the train, authorities said.

Police sources told ABC News that Penny was not specifically being threatened by Neely when he intervened and that Neely had not become violent and had not been threatening anyone in particular.

In an earlier statement, Penny’s attorneys offered “condolences to those close to Mr. Neely” and claimed “Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel,” and that the Marine veteran and others “acted to protect themselves.”

“Mr. Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness,” said the statement from the law firm of Raiser and Kenniff. “When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death.”

In footage of the incident, Penny can be seen holding Neely in a chokehold for nearly 3 minutes, as another man held down Neely’s body.

The Neely family attorneys criticized Penny’s response.

“The truth is, he knew nothing about Jordan’s history when he intentionally wrapped his arms around Jordan’s neck, and squeezed and kept squeezing,” the Neely family attorneys said in a statement.

“Daniel Penny’s press release is not an apology nor an expression of regret. It is a character assassination, and a clear example of why he believed he was entitled to take Jordan’s life,” the statement from attorneys Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards continued.

The Rev. Al Sharpton in a statement Friday called the charges against Penny “just step one in justice.”

“Let’s not forget that there were three people restraining him, and it is vital that the two others are also held accountable for their actions,” Sharpton said. “The justice system needs to send a clear, loud message that vigilantism has never been acceptable.”

Neely had a documented mental health history, according to police sources. Neely had been previously arrested for several incidents on the subway, though it’s unclear how many, if any, led to convictions.

The Manhattan DA’s office spent the weekend and much of this week interviewing and going over the accounts of witnesses who were on the train, as well as reviewing multiple videos of the incident. Prosecutors also consulted with the medical examiner’s office and detectives, and reviewed statements Penny made to detectives on the night of the incident.

The district attorney’s office decided to move forward with charges without first going to a grand jury.

A grand jury will still hear evidence in the case, which will occur in the week following his arraignment.

The maximum penalty for second-degree manslaughter is 15 years.

ABC News’ Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(NEW YORK) — Daniel Penny turned himself in to New York City police on Friday to face criminal charges in connection with the chokehold death of Jordan Neely aboard a subway train.

Penny was seen walking in to the New York City Police Department’s 5th Precinct in Chinatown shortly after 8 a.m. ET. He did not address the media outside, though his lawyer, Tom Kenniff, spoke briefly to reporters.

“Turned himself in here voluntarily and with the sort of dignity and integrity that is characteristic of his dignity of service to this grateful nation,” Kenniff said. “The case will now go to court we expect an arraignment this afternoon. The process will unfold from there.”

Penny’s surrender came one day after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed that he would be arrested on a charge of second-degree manslaughter.

Neely died following a chokehold on May 1. Video showed Penny, a U.S. Marine veteran, putting Neely in a chokehold following outbursts from Neely on an F train.

Attorneys for Penny said in a statement Thursday night that they are confident that “once all the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic incident are brought to bear, Mr. Penny will be fully absolved of any wrongdoing.”

“When Mr. Penny, a decorated Marine veteran, stepped in to protect himself and his fellow New Yorkers, his well-being was not assured. He risked his own life and safety, for the good of his fellow passengers,” said the statement from the law firm of Raiser and Kenniff. “The unfortunate result was the unintended and unforeseen death of Mr. Neely.”

Neely was homeless at the time of his death. Some witnesses reportedly told police that Neely was yelling and harassing passengers on the train, authorities said.

Police sources told ABC News that Penny was not specifically being threatened by Neely when he intervened and that Neely had not become violent and had not been threatening anyone in particular.

In an earlier statement, Penny’s attorneys offered “condolences to those close to Mr. Neely” and claimed “Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel,” and that the Marine veteran and others “acted to protect themselves.”

“Mr. Neely had a documented history of violent and erratic behavior, the apparent result of ongoing and untreated mental illness,” said the statement from the law firm of Raiser and Kenniff. “When Mr. Neely began aggressively threatening Daniel Penny and the other passengers, Daniel, with the help of others, acted to protect themselves, until help arrived. Daniel never intended to harm Mr. Neely and could not have foreseen his untimely death.”

In footage of the incident, Penny can be seen holding Neely in a chokehold for nearly 3 minutes, as another man held down Neely’s body.

The Neely family attorneys criticized Penny’s response.

“The truth is, he knew nothing about Jordan’s history when he intentionally wrapped his arms around Jordan’s neck, and squeezed and kept squeezing,” the Neely family attorneys said in a statement.

“Daniel Penny’s press release is not an apology nor an expression of regret. It is a character assassination, and a clear example of why he believed he was entitled to take Jordan’s life,” the statement from attorneys Donte Mills and Lennon Edwards continued.

The Rev. Al Sharpton in a statement Friday called the charges against Penny “just step one in justice.”

“Let’s not forget that there were three people restraining him, and it is vital that the two others are also held accountable for their actions,” Sharpton said. “The justice system needs to send a clear, loud message that vigilantism has never been acceptable.”

Neely had a documented mental health history, according to police sources. Neely had been previously arrested for several incidents on the subway, though it’s unclear how many, if any, led to convictions.

The Manhattan DA’s office spent the weekend and much of this week interviewing and going over the accounts of witnesses who were on the train, as well as reviewing multiple videos of the incident. Prosecutors also consulted with the medical examiner’s office and detectives, and reviewed statements Penny made to detectives on the night of the incident.

The district attorney’s office decided to move forward with charges without first going to a grand jury.

A grand jury will still hear evidence in the case, which will occur in the week following his arraignment.

The maximum penalty for second-degree manslaughter is 15 years.

ABC News’ Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

(PHILADELPHIA) — One of the two inmates who had escaped the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center has been taken into custody, police said Thursday night.

Nasir Grant was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals, Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner Frank Vanore tweeted.

Grant had disguised himself as a woman and was wearing “full female Muslim garb and a head covering” when he was caught, said Robert Clark, Supervisor Deputy Marshal for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Clark said a man resembling Grant left a resident wearing the clothing, which “piqued our interest.” Marshals followed him and arrested him during a felony vehicle stop.

The two men were discovered missing from the Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center during a headcount Monday afternoon, according to Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Blanche Carney. They had escaped through a hole in the recreation yard’s fence, she said.

They escaped Sunday around 8:30 p.m. and were erroneously considered accounted for during three subsequent headcounts, before being discovered missing during the 3 p.m. Monday headcount, according to Carney.

The commissioner identified the escaped inmates as Ameen Hurst, 18, who was brought to the facility in March 2021 on multiple counts of murder, and Grant, 28, who was being held since September 2022 on charges including criminal conspiracy, narcotics and firearm violations.

Hurst remains at large.

A 21-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday for allegedly helping the two men escape. Xianni Stalling faces charges including escape, criminal conspiracy and hindering apprehension, authorities said. The U.S. Marshals took Stalling into custody Wednesday and transported her to Philadelphia Police Headquarters for questioning, Robert Clark, supervisory deputy for the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Philadelphia, said in a statement.

“We are adamant and working tirelessly to get these two dangerous individuals back in custody,” Carney told reporters during a press briefing Monday evening. “We had protocols in place, and those protocols were not followed, so that will be part of our investigation.”

“But the goal here now is to make sure that these two individuals are apprehended promptly and brought back into custody,” she continued.

The Philadelphia Police Department and U.S. Marshal’s Office are involved in the search.

“We are working very quickly to try to get them back,” Vanore told reporters.

Hurst is considered “very dangerous,” Vanore said. The inmate is accused of killing someone in December 2020, fatally shooting two people in March 2021 and, a few days later, fatally shooting a man who had just been discharged from a Philadelphia correctional facility, Vanore said.

Hurst and Grant were housed in the same unit in different cells in the correctional facility and are believed to be together, authorities said.

Blanche said the correctional facility is on lockdown and she has reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections to conduct a “facility vulnerability assessment and security assessment as soon as possible.”

The facility is also reviewing security footage as part of its investigation into the breach and reviewing the three headcounts to see “why they did not detect those two individuals missing,” she said.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said a $20,000 reward for each man is being offered for information that leads to their arrest.

“The No. 1 responsibility right now is to get these guys off the street,” Kenney told reporters.

The next priority is to have the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections assess the system, he said.

“Clearly the system screwed up and people didn’t do what they were supposed to do,” Kenney said. “But we’re going to find out exactly who, exactly how often and what we got to do to shore it back up again.”

Kenney said they will get to the bottom of it and “deal with the fallout from there.”

“I’m really angry about it,” the mayor said. “There’s no reason for this.”

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(CHARLESTON, S.C.) — The woman accused of causing a crash that killed a bride on her wedding night last month in South Carolina had a blood alcohol level three times the legal threshold and was driving 40 miles per hour over the speed limit when she allegedly plowed her Toyota into the back of a golf cart, police documents show.

A golf cart carrying four people was struck from behind near Charleston on April 28, killing Samantha Miller, who had just celebrated her wedding earlier in the day.

Three others, including Miller’s new husband, Aric Hutchinson, were in the golf cart with her, police said. All suffered varying degrees of injuries when the collision propelled the cart roughly 75 yards, according to police.

In a redacted incident report released Thursday by the Folly Beach Department of Public Safety, responding officers described an uncooperative suspect, identified as 25-year-old Jamie Komoroski, who they said seemed to have little idea about what happened or where she was going when the crash happened.

“I was driving and then all of a sudden something hit me,” police said Komoroski told them after the crash, according to the report.

Komoroski has been charged with three counts of DUI causing serious bodily injury/death and one count of reckless homicide.

Officers said Komoroski also told them she was driving toward her house, but they said she had actually been going the opposite direction from her house, toward a dead end, the report states.

A toxicology report released by authorities on Thursday showed that Komoroski had a .261 blood alcohol level — three times the legal limit in South Carolina.

According to the incident report, police said Komoroski told them on the scene that she felt an eight out of 10 in terms of being impaired.

One of the responding officers “smelled an odor of alcohol coming from her breath and person,” he wrote in the report, adding that Komoroski had trouble standing and refused a breathalyzer test, forcing authorities to obtain a signed warrant from a judge to draw her blood.

“We cannot fathom what the families are going through and offer our deepest sympathies,” Komoroski’s attorneys told ABC News in a statement Thursday night. “We simply ask that there not be a rush to judgment. Our court system is founded upon principles of justice and mercy and that is where all facts will come to light.”

According to a GoFundMe created by a woman identifying herself as the mother of the groom, Miller and Hutchinson were being escorted from the reception by two family members when the crash happened.

“I was handed Aric’s wedding ring in a plastic bag at the hospital, five hours after Sam placed it on his finger and they read each other their vows,” Arnette Hutchinson wrote. “Aric has lost the love of his life.”

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