Crime Navy Veteran Killed in N.J. Protecting Girlfriend During Carjacking, Suspect Arrested in Fla. Troy Traynham served with the Navy, in an agency formerly called the Defense Investigative Service By Chris Harris Chris Harris Chris Harris has been a senior true crime reporter for PEOPLE since late 2015. An award-winning journalist who has worked for Rolling Stone and MTV News, Chris enjoys prog rock, cycling, Marvel movies, IPAs, and roller coasters. People Editorial Guidelines Published on October 22, 2021 12:43PM EDT Photo: Facebook Authorities in Florida have arrested a New Jersey man wanted for allegedly killing a U.S. Navy veteran during a fatal carjacking last month, PEOPLE confirms. James Lewis, 51, was tracked to a residence in Winter Haven, Fla., on Tuesday, where he was taken into custody and charged with murder in the shooting death of Troy Traynham. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and East Orange Police Chief Phyllis Bindi announced the arrest in a statement. Traynham, 59, was shot on Sept. 18 in East Orange, N.J. According to the statement, Traynham was shot outside his apartment building as he was helping a woman unload groceries from her car. "It is alleged that Lewis shot Traynham and carjacked the woman," reads the statement. James Lewis. Polk County Sheriff's Office Traynham was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 5 p.m. After the killing, Lewis fled to Florida, the statement alleges. He remains in custody in Florida, awaiting extradition. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. NJ.com reports that Traynham's relatives had said he died protecting his girlfriend from the armed carjacker. The site reports that Traynham served with the Navy, in an agency formerly called the Defense Investigative Service, which conducted various personnel security investigations under the Department of Defense. He most recently worked as a security specialist and chef for hotels and restaurants in New York and New Jersey.