4th Suspect Captured In Deadly Easter Shootout In Elizabeth

ELIZABETH, NJ — The lone remaining fugitive of four was arrested in connection with the deadly Easter morning shootout with police near the outside of a strip club in Elizabeth.

Jonathan Philippe, 25, of Irvington was tracked by members of the U.S. Marshals Service and arrested in Irvington Thursday morning, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced.

The incident began around 2:30 a.m. when a large group gathered outside Exotics Gentlemen's Club located on the 1100 block of Elizabeth Avenue.

A fight broke out between members of the group and during the scuffle, someone in the crowd fired two shots into the air, said Michael Sheets, spokesman for the UCPO.

The mob immediately dispersed with several people going into a parking lot across the street. Sharif Q. Robinson, 27, of Jersey City then shot an unarmed Daniel Louis, 26, of Irvington, who was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.

After Louis was shot, Robinson and Jonathan Philippe, 25, Pierre Cadet, 21, and Don LaFortune, 23, all of Irvington became involved in a shootout, firing numerous rounds.

An Elizabeth Police officer on patrol in the area heard the initial gunshots and called for backup. Once assistance arrived, the two officers arrived at the lot on foot to see the firefight in progress, Sheets said.

As the officers approached the shooters, they were fired upon by Philippe and Cadet, who were near their Maserati, Sheets said.

Neither officer was hit by the gunfire and the patrolmen returned fire. Philippe and Cadet got into the car and, with Cadet driving, drove away at a high rate of speed.

Elizabeth Patrol Units chased the car into Newark, where the two got away, abandoned the car and escaped.

The car was recovered, held and processed for evidentiary purposes, Sheets said.

Cadet and LaFortune were later arrested on April 3 and lodged in Union County Jail. A week later, members of the U.S. Marshals Service located and apprehended Robinson at a relative’s home in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

Robinson is charged with first-degree murder, a related second-degree weapons offense, and second-degree hindering apprehension.

Cadet, LaFortune, and Philippe are all charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, and a related second-degree weapons offense. Cadet is additionally charged with second-degree eluding police.

Anyone with information about this matter still is urged to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Johnny Ho at 908-403- 8271 or Detective Danika Ramos at 908-451- 7739.

(Image via Union County Prosecutor's Office)

Photo 1 - Jonathan Philippe, 25, of Irvington

Photo 2 - Don LaFortune, 23, of Irvington

Photo 3 - Pierre Cadet, 21, of Irvington

Photo 4 - Sharif Q. Robinson, 27, of Jersey City

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