Arrest Made In The Shooting Death Of Teen In Somerset County Church Parking Lot

A 19-year-old Franklin Township man has been arrested in connection to the death of 17-year-old Joell Burton who was shot and killed in a Somerset County Church parking lot Monday night. 

According to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office:

Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives Timothy Fitzgerald and Franklin Township Chief of Police Lawrence Roberts announce the arrest of Dequan S. Rogers, age 19, of Alcorne Street, in the Somerset section of Franklin Township, New Jersey.

Prosecutor Soriano states that on Monday, October 13, 2014 at approximately 9:12 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting victim who was presently in a church parking lot on Somerset Street. Responding officers located Joell Burton, age 17, suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest. The officers along with emergency medical personnel began life saving measures on Mr. Burton before he was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Prosecutor Soriano states that at 9:17 p.m. Franklin Township Police received a second 9-1-1 call reporting a stabbing victim in the area of Victor Street which is in close proximity to Somerset Street. Additional responding officers located 19 year old Dequan S. Rogers suffering from stab/laceration wounds to his upper torso and arm. Officers along with emergency medical personnel treated the victim at the scene and transported him to a local hospital where he underwent emergency procedures to address his injuries and is listed in stable condition.

The investigation conducted by detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Mr. Burton and defendant Rogers crossed paths between Fuller Street and Route 27, Somerset, New Jersey. A physical altercation ensued between both individuals during which time defendant Rogers received a stab wound to his upper torso and a non-life threatening laceration to his arm. Defendant Rogers who was armed with a small caliber semi-automatic handgun fired one round striking Mr. Burton in the chest. Defendant Rogers fled from the area and proceeded towards the area of Victor Street.

A post mortem examination to determine the cause and manner of death will be performed on Mr. Burton at the New Jersey Regional Medical Examiner’s Office, Newark, New Jersey in the near future.

A motive for the crime has not been released as detectives continue the investigation. Detectives have stated that the event was an isolated situation between two parties that knew each other and the incident was not a random act.

The New Brunswick Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Defendant Rogers was arrested yesterday and charged with First Degree Murder, Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun. Bail was set by the Honorable Yolanda Ciccone, A.J.S.C. at $500,000 cash only.

Prosecutor Soriano, Chief Fitzgerald and Chief Roberts request anyone with information regarding the homicide to contact the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-2300, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All Crime Stopper tips are anonymous will be kept confidential.