Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Burlington Township Public Safety Director Bruce Painter announced that a fifth person has been apprehended in connection with the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old male and the wounding of his father in the Walmart parking lot on Route 541 in Burlington Township in October 2021.
Tarik Jenkins, 25, of College Drive in Pemberton Township, was charged with Felony Murder (First Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree), Hindering (Third Degree) and Obstruction (Fourth Degree).
He was taken into custody yesterday at a residence in Edgewater Park by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department is a member of the task force and participated in the apprehension.
Jenkins was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court. The case will now be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began the night of October 7, after officers from the Burlington Township Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the Walmart parking lot at approximately 10:15 p.m.
Upon arrival, they discovered Dion E. Williams Sr., 44, and his son Albert, 17, both of Hammonton, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where Albert Williams, who was struck in the chest, was pronounced dead. Dion E. Williams Sr. was treated and released.
The investigation, which is continuing, revealed that the parties involved had previously planned to meet in the Walmart parking lot. Upon arrival, there was an argument, followed by gunfire.
Jenkins had evaded arrest since being charged October 29. His co-defendants, who were apprehended in the days following the shootings, include:
- Kayhree Simmons, 19, of Windsor Lane in Willingboro, charged with Felony Murder (First Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree), Hindering (Third Degree) and Obstruction (Fourth Degree).
- Jayviyohn J. Earley, 19, of Echohill Lane in Willingboro, charged with Felony Murder (First Degree) and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree). Earley was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Third Degree) and Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Offense (Second Degree) based on evidence uncovered while investigating the shooting incident.
- Kweli L. McCants, 20, of Evergreen Drive in Willingboro, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (Second Degree) and Hindering (Third Degree). McCants was additionally charged with Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Magazine (Fourth Degree) and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Third Degree) based on evidence uncovered while investigating the shooting incident.
- Azza Kamnaksh, 19, of Echohill Lane, Willingboro, charged with Hindering (Third Degree) and Obstruction (Fourth Degree). Kamnaksh was additionally charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana (Third Degree) and Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Offense (Second Degree) based on evidence uncovered while investigating the shooting incident.
Simmons and Earley are being held in the Burlington County Jail. McCants and Kamnaksh were not detained.
The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Burlington Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Willingboro Township Police Department, FBI Trenton – Greater Safe Streets Task Force, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Police Department, Willingboro SWAT Team, Mount Holly Police Department, and City of Burlington Police Department.
The lead investigators are Prosecutor’s Office Detectives Brian Cunningham and Sean Tait and Burlington Township Detective Steven Cosmo.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
2022-02 Fifth Person Arrested in Burlington Township Fatal Double Shooting