New Brunswick Police Arrest Man on Attempted Murder Charge In Connection With Weekend Shooting

New Brunswick police have arrested another man in connection with one of last weekend’s shootings in the city, authorities said.

Their investigation has also led detectives to file drug charges against four other people, and they are asking for the public’s help in their search for three of those suspects. One of those three is also facing gun charges, police said.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, police arrested Maliek Riley, 27, at his Franklin home. He is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police have also searched several vehicles and homes in connection with their investigation into Saturday’s shooting on Mason Avenue, and Sunday’s shooting on Class Place.

On Thursday, detectives searched a vehicle and found two handguns, a 9mm assault firearm, and a significant amount of heroin, according to a news release from Capt. J.T. Miller.

Keon Wade, 21, of North Brunswick, has been linked to the vehicle and the weapons, according to Miller. Wade is charged with two counts each of possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a handgun, and one count each of possession of a defaced firearm, and possession of an assault firearm.

As a result of the investigation, police have also charged Nakia Bailey, 27, of Edison, with possession of heroin and possession with the intent to distribute heroin, and they charged Xavier Bailey, 25, of Edison, with first-degree possession of PCP and possession with the intent to distribute PCP.

Wade, Nakia Bailey and Xavier Bailey are all wanted by the New Brunswick Police Department.

Another defendant, Kason Walters, 23, of Edison, was arrested when he turned himself in at New Brunswick Police Headquarters Thursday afternoon. He is also charged with first-degree possession of PCP and possession with the intent to distribute PCP.

Police have said they are investigating the possibility that the two weekend shootings were related.

On Tuesday, detectives arrested Christopher Smith, 24, of Franklin, and Tywaan Bailey, 23, of Edison, on charges including attempted murder. They were arrested in connection with the March 22 Class Place shooting that left a Anthony Brown, 22 , and a 17-year-old boy injured, police have said.

In the other case, Shabazz Muhammed, 27, was shot outside a Mason Avenue home around 10:15 p.m. March 21, police have said.

Meanwhile, on their Facebook page, North Brunswick police said a bullet went through the window of a First Avenue home around the time of the shooting on Mason Avenue, which is near the township’s border.

The bullet hit the glass window and screen, but did not have enough power to penetrate both, police said.

Police said they determined the bullet had been fired into the air in New Brunswick, then came down and hit the home in North Brunswick. North Brunswick police said they are working with city police.

New Brunswick police have said victims and witnesses had been uncooperative.

Police are asking anyone with information about the whereabouts of Wade, Nakia Bailey or Xavier Bailey to contact the New Brunswick Detective Bureau at (732) 745-5217 or New Brunswick Police Communications at (732) 745-5200.

Photos courtesy New Brunswick police

Photos: Keon Wade, Nakia Bailey and Xavier Bailey