Pleasantville woman charged in stabbing that killed woman, wounded man

A Pleasantville woman is charged with murder in connection to the fatal stabbing that closed the Atlantic City Municipal Court on Wednesday morning.

Jennifer Rodriguez and her husband, Raphy Rodriguez, both 34, were stabbed during an altercation with Rollie Ellis inside their apartment at 3 S. Iowa Ave., at about 6:35 a.m., Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said.

Jennifer Rodriguez was able to escape and run to the Atlantic City Public Safety Building across the street, which houses the court and the police station.

She was found in the lobby of the building unresponsive and bleeding from the stab wound to the back of the head/neck, Tyner said.

Jennifer Rodriguez was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus, where she was later pronounced dead.

Raphy Rodriguez was also able to escape the apartment and flag down a Atlantic City police officer on Iowa Avenue, according to the report.  He was transported to the hospital with several serious stab wounds and he is expected to survive these injuries.

Ellis, 28, is charged with first degree murder, first degree attempted murder and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. She is at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

The building at 3 S. Iowa Ave. has had issues, including five people arrested after shots were fired in February inside the building that is across the street from Tony's Baltimore Grill.

This was a joint investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Atlantic City Police Department. 

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666. Information may also be provided anonymously through tip411 (847411) beginning the text with ACPD.