2nd Man Charged With Murder In South Jersey Mass Shooting: Prosecutor

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man was charged with two counts of murder Thursday for his role in a 2021 mass shooting in South Jersey, authorities said.

Arthur Armstead, became the second person charged with murder after gunfire killed three people and injured 11 others at a party in Fairfield Township, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office (CCPO).

Hundreds were attending the party when the shooting broke out the night of May 22, 2021, the CCPO said. Kevin Elliott, Brailyn Holmes and Asia Hester were killed, while others suffered gunshot wounds ranging from minor to serious, according to law enforcement.

Zedekiah G. Holmes was charged with murder in 2021 for the deaths of Hester and Elliott. The criminal complaint against Armstead marks the first murder charge in the death of Brailyn Holmes — Zedekiah's younger sibling.

The CCPO also accused Armstead of killing Elliott.

Armstead, 30, of Fairfield Township, was previously charged with obstruction and hindering apprehension for his actions after the shooting, officials said.

Following the incident, Armstead fled to Delaware, where he stayed for several days with a paramour, authorities said. He then took refuge at an Atlantic City casino hotel before turning himself in to State Police at the agency's Bridgeton barracks, according to the CCPO.

Investigators recently discovered information that implicated Armstead in the shooting, as well, officials said. He was charged Thursday with the following:

• first-degree murder (two counts)
• first-degree conspiracy to commit murder
• first-degree attempted murder (three counts)
• second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose (five counts)
• second-degree unlawful handgun possession
• second-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted person

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information can contact the State Police Major Crimes Unit - South at 609-561-1800, ext. 3355. Anonymous tips may be submitted online at CCPO.TIPS.