Murder Charge For Man In South Jersey Slaying: Prosecutor

MILLVILLE, NJ — Officials in Cumberland County have charged a man with murder after they say he started an argument with another man, whom he then fatally shot.

New Jersey State Police responded to a shooting in the 600 block of Newport Road in Lawrence Township at 5:13 p.m. on Feb. 14, according to Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae.

Officers found 42-year-old Lequint G. Allen with several apparent gunshot wounds, Webb-McRae said. First responders took Allen to Inspira Medical Center in Vineland, where doctors pronounced him dead.

NJ State Police and the prosecutor's office arrested and charged 47-year-old Thomas Baker Jr. of Millville on Feb. 15, Webb-McRae said. Officials said Baker Jr. started a verbal dispute with Allen and later shot him.

Baker Jr. faces charges of first-degree murder, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted person, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Webb-McRae said the state will seek to detain him pending trial.

The investigation in ongoing. Police ask anyone with information to contact NJ State Police Detective Franklin Bacon at 856-785-0036 or Cumberland Co. Prosecutor's Office Detective Paul Panchesine at 856-332-6233. Anonymous tips may be submitted at https://njccpo.gov/Tips.