Three people allegedly targeted a pair of 17-year-olds in a shooting early Sunday in Bridgeton that left one of the teenagers dead, according to court documents.
A Bridgeton man has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder after allegedly driving the assailants to the scene of the crime, authorities said. No other arrests have been announced in the case.
Police responded to the 300 block of North Pearl Street shortly after 12:30 a.m. Sunday and found one of the 17-year-olds with gunshot wounds inside a home, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 17-year-old girl was shot in the lower back and airlifted to Cooper University Hospital for treatment. She was listed in stable condition.
Officials have not identified either victim.
Iban Perez, 21, of Bridgeton, allegedly drove four people to a spot near the home on Pearl Street where the victims were standing outside, according to his criminal complaint.
Surveillance video showed Perez’s pickup truck drive past the house in question before parking a few houses away, police said.
Four people climbed out of the truck and three of them walked up to the home where the teens are standing, the complaint states. Then, the trio open fire on the victims before running back to the truck.
The pickup was later located in a dirt lot near Perez’s home, police said.
When interviewed by investigators, Perez allegedly admitted to driving four people to the 300 block of North Pearl and “that he was aware these subjects were armed with weapons,” according to his affidavit of probable cause.
Perez was charged Sunday with one count of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder and one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
He remains in Cumberland County Jail pending a detention hearing.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Bridgeton Police Detective Mark Yoshioka at 856-392-9031 or prosecutor’s office Detective Kyle Mecouch at 856-332-4379.
Both victims are students at Bridgeton High School and district Superintendent Keith Miles issued a statement about them Monday.
“Our school community is deeply saddened by the news we learned Sunday morning that one of our students was injured and another deceased,” Miles said. “Grief counselors have been on hand at the high school all day to help staff and students process this tragic incident. Staff members described the young man we lost this weekend as a jovial student who loved to tell jokes.”
Another teacher said the student “cared deeply about doing well in school and was looking forward to graduation,” Miles added.
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones during this very difficult time.”
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
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