Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina announced that a 20-year-old Philadelphia resident has been indicted for shooting a man last year in the parking lot of a Willingboro Township shopping center.
A grand jury indicted Lamar Johnson, of Granite Street, on charges of Attempted Murder (First Degree), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose (Second Degree), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Second Degree) and Aggravated Assault (Third Degree). The indictment was returned February 15 and signed by Prosecutor Coffina. An arraignment will be scheduled soon in Superior Court.
Johnson was arrested November 15, 2021, in Sharon Hill, Pa., by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department Fugitive Unit. He later waived extradition and was brought to the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, where he remains.
The investigation began after officers from the Willingboro Township Police Department were called to the Willingboro Town Center in the 4000 block of Route 130 north at approximately 5:30 p.m. on October 11, 2021.
Upon arrival, they discovered Nasir Phillips, 19, of Willingboro, sitting in a vehicle with gunshot wounds to his hand and abdomen. He was taken to Virtua Willingboro Hospital and then flown to the trauma center at Cooper University Hospital in Camden.
The investigation revealed that Johnson traveled to the shopping center after he became aware that Phillips was at that location. Johnson pursued Phillips as he exited a sandwich shop, opening fire with a handgun and striking him twice after he entered his vehicle.
Johnson is being prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Michael Angermeier, supervisor of the BCPO Gang, Gun and Narcotics Task Force (GGNTF). The investigation was conducted by detectives from the Willingboro Township Police Department and the Prosecutor’s Office. The lead investigators are WTPD Sergeant Brandon Smith and BCPO Detective Kevin Sobotka.
An indictment is an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty.
2022-29 Willingboro Attempted Murder Indictment