Buffalo Township Man Charged After Tenant Stabbed Over Heating Bills

On December 4, 2025, state police arrested a Buffalo Township man and charged him with attempted homicide after an alleged stabbing during a dispute about heating bills. Authorities say the tenant sustained stab wounds to the chest and arm and received emergency medical attention. The defendant was taken into custody and processed by law enforcement, and he faces scheduled court hearings in the coming weeks.

This is the second attempted homicide charge filed against the same defendant in under two years, a fact that raises questions about how repeat violent behavior is tracked and how risk is managed in rental settings. Investigators have described the confrontation as rooted in a disagreement over utilities and payment responsibilities, an escalating conflict that ended in serious physical harm.

For Union County residents the incident has immediate public safety implications. Tenants and landlords who are experiencing disputes over heating or other essential services should be aware that conflicts over utilities can escalate into violence. Emergency services and local hospitals remain the first line for medical care after violent injury, and the event highlights the burden placed on emergency departments during cold weather when energy related stress increases.

Beyond acute care, the incident points to broader policy and social equity concerns. Energy insecurity disproportionately affects low income households, seniors, and people with chronic illness. When heating becomes unaffordable or contested, the resulting stress can deepen housing instability and strain relationships between tenants and property owners. Local policy responses that could reduce such tensions include expanded utility assistance, more accessible emergency rental aid, mediation services for tenant landlord disputes, and stronger outreach to at risk households before conflicts begin.

Community leaders and service providers may also consider stepped up outreach around winter utility assistance, clear information on tenant rights, and accessible conflict resolution resources. Residents with information relevant to the investigation should contact law enforcement, and anyone facing loss of heat or housing instability should seek help from county social services or local nonprofits that offer emergency assistance. The case will move through the county court system as prosecutors and defense prepare for upcoming hearings.