Fatal Union County Shooting Leads To Arrest In Georgia

UNION COUNTY, NJ — A 19-year-old Rahway man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting that left a 23-year-old Elizabeth man dead, according to Union County officials.

Bryan Calderon, 19, is charged with first-degree murder along with weapons-related charges in the death of Franklin Mendez, 23, of Elizabeth, prosecutors said.

The shooting happened in the early morning hours of May 30 on Caldwell Place in Elizabeth. Officials said police responded to reports of gunfire and found Mendez suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Calderon was taken into custody on June 2 in Garden City, Georgia, by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to officials. He is currently being held in Georgia pending extradition to New Jersey.

Officials said the investigation is ongoing and encourage anyone with information to contact the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force or Elizabeth Police.