MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. – Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced today that a Beverly City resident has been indicted for fatally shooting a man on a Florence street two years ago.
Anthony M. Harris, 32, of the 100 block of Broad Street in Beverly City, was indicted by a Burlington County Grand Jury on single counts of Aggravated Manslaughter (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons (Second Degree).
The indictment was returned September 25 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina.
The investigation revealed that on the evening of September 21, 2016, a group from Beverly City went to Florence and began fighting with local residents in the area of Zinc Street, which is an alley that runs between Second and Third streets.
Harris pulled a handgun, began shooting, and struck Ronald Walker, 27, of Florence, who was transported to Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro and pronounced dead at 8:21 p.m. An autopsy performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood determined that Walker died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
When Harris’s trial opens next month, it will mark the second time he has been tried for Walker’s death. The Hon. Charles A. Delehey declared a mistrial following the first trial in June when the jury indicated it could not reach a unanimous verdict on a murder charge.
The case is being prosecuted by Burlington County Assistant Prosecutor Douglas J. Bligh.
The case was investigated by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Florence Township Police Department. The lead investigators were BCPO Major Crimes Unit Detective Nick Villano and Florence Police Detective Chris Powell.