South Jersey Man 'Repeatedly' Hammered Girlfriend To Death

A South Jersey man is charged with murder after he killed his girlfriend by repeatedly striking her with a hammer, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner announced this weekend.

Lashawn Smith, 36, of Egg Harbor Township is charged with first degree murder, third degree possession of a weapon and fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon in connection to the Friday death of his girlfriend, 28 year-old Sarah Phillips.

Smith was scheduled for a first appearance Saturday in connection to the charges.

A 911 call was received by the Egg Harbor Township Police Department at 5:04 a.m. on November 3, 2017 in reference to an injured woman inside the residence at 4 S. Zion Road, Egg Harbor Township, according to the ACPO.

Egg Harbor Township Police officers responded and located the woman who was ultimately identified as Phillips. She was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy was scheduled for Saturday.

A subsequent investigation by Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Egg Harbor Township Police Department resulted in the arrest of Smith and it is alleged Smith struck Phillips multiple times with a hammer.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Seth Levy represents the state in the matter.

ACPO photo