2 Men Charged With Murder In Fatal Shooting Of Union County Man

ELIZABETH, NJ — Two men were charged in connection with the fatal shooting of an Elizabeth man on July 7, 2024, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca announced Friday.

Stevens Charles-Pierre, 27 of Linden, and Brunel Thimotee, 20 of Philadelphia, are both charged with first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree receiving stolen property, fourth-degree resisting arrest, and additional weapons charges in connection with the death of Jose Aranzamendi, 47, of Elizabeth.

In the early morning hours of July 7, 2024, Elizabeth Police Officers responded to the area of the 400 block of Westminster Avenue after reports of a shooting.

Officers found two adult men who had gunshot wounds, said Daniel.

Aranzamendi was taken to a local area hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The other victim, a 51-year-old man, was taken to a local area hospital for treatment.

A joint investigation conducted by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, Elizabeth Police Department, and Union County Sheriff’s Department led to the arrest of Charles-Pierre on March 24, 2025.

Charles-Pierre is currently being held in Essex County Jail pending a first appearance. Thimotee was arrested by the U.S. Marshalls in Norfolk, Virginia on March 25, where he is currently awaiting extradition.

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