North Brunswick Man Charged In Connection With Fatal Shooting

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two men, one from North Brunswick and the other from Georgia, have been charged in connection with the killing of Rafael Florez-Lopez of New Brunswick and the non-fatal shooting of another man, authorities said.

Quron Hoagland, 28, of North Brunswick was charged with two counts of first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, one count of first-degree murder, and one count of first-degree attempted murder, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Director Anthony A. Caputo of the New Brunswick Police Department said.

Jajuan Hill-Staten, 34, of Stock Bridge, Georgia was charged with first degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. Hill-Staten was apprehended in Florida where he was taken into custody by members of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Winter Haven Police Department, Ciccone said.

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He remains in custody in Florida pending an extradition hearing. Upon his return, he will be lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, authorities said. Hoagland is lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center.

On Nov. 7, at around 9:55 p.m., police responded to the area of Seaman Street and Remsen Avenue following the report of a shooting, Ciccone said. Upon their arrival, officers found Florez-Lopez, 39, and another male who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Both men were taken to a nearby hospital where Florez-Lopez died of his injuries, Ciccone said.

According to an investigation, Hill-Staten, 34 was identified as the gunman. Authorities said that Hoagland drove Hill-Staten to the vicinity of the shooting and transported him from the area immediately afterward.

The murder does not appear to be a random act, the prosecutor’s office said. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Victor Delgado of the New Brunswick Police Department at (732)745-5200 or Detective Ryan Tighe of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-4335.

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