Woodbury, NJ – Jasheir T. Hawkins, 19, of Penns Grove, has been charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two second-degree weapons charges in a shooting incident that left one victim wounded Wednesday, Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns and Woodbury Police Chief Thomas Ryan jointly announced.
According to documents filed in this case:
Woodbury police responded to reports of gunfire near N. Evergreen Avenue Wednesday afternoon. Shortly afterwards, an adult male (Victim-1) with a gunshot wound to the neck arrived at a local hospital. A blue Honda sedan that had been struck by gunfire was found still running in front of the hospital, and security footage showed the driver (Victim-2) fleeing on foot.
The gunshot victim reported that earlier in the day Victim-2 had been in a physical altercation with Hawkins at the Woodlake Apartments. He stated that Hawkins ran into a wooded area behind the complex as the two victims drove to Victim-1’s residence, with Victim-1 driving and Victim-2 in the passenger seat. Moments after returning home, Victim-1 heard gunshots and was struck in the neck, then ducked into the backseat of the vehicle. Victim-2 moved into the driver’s seat and drove the vehicle to the hospital.
A 911 caller reported witnessing the shooting and described the suspect, who was later identified as Hawkins. Hawkins was apprehended in Mount Ephraim and is scheduled to appear in court today.
The maximum term of incarceration is 20 years for each attempted murder charge and 10 years for each of the two weapons charges.
The County of Gloucester complies with all state and federal rules and regulations against discrimination in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services, and activities. In addition, County encourages participation of people with disabilities in its programs and activities and offers special services to all residents 60 years of age and older. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the County’s ADA Coordinator at (856) 384-6842/ New Jersey Relay Service 711.
Prosecutor Johns and Chief Ryan credited officers and detectives of the Woodbury Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit with the investigation that led to Hawkins’s arrest. Prosecutor Johns and Chief Ryan also thanked the Audubon, Deptford, Mount Ephraim, West Deptford, and Westville Police Departments, as well as the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Department and the Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene Unit for their assistance in the investigation.
The investigation remains ongoing. Any witnesses with information are asked to contact Woodbury Police Detective Corrine Byerley at 856-443-3146 or
cbyerley@woodburypd.com.
The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.