Union County Murder Fugitive Found In England: Prosecutor

ELIZABETH, NJ — A Union County fugitive wanted for the murder of a man in 2002 has been arrested in England and is awaiting extradition back to New Jersey, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Tuesday.

Eslam Gad, 27, formerly of Elizabeth is charged with first-degree murder and related weapons offenses for allegedly fatally shooting 21-year- old Anthony Holmes Jr. of Pemberton Township, Burlington County.

Holmes was in the area of 3rd and Pine streets in Elizabeth with a relative and friends around midnight on Aug. 8, 2012 when a person later identified as Gad fired multiple gunshots out the window of a red Ford Mustang, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Bruce Holmes, who is prosecuting the case.

Holmes was not believed to have been the intended target, yet was struck by gunfire and rushed to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead early the next day, Holmes said.

No one else was injured or killed as a result of the shooting, although two vehicles and a private residence were struck by gunfire.

Gad was identified as a suspect following an intensive joint investigation involving the Union County Homicide Task Force, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Elizabeth Police Department. Gad had already fled the country at this time.

Investigators worked with the intergovernmental police organization to search and find Gad in October 2012. He was finally located and arrested in Manchester, England this month.

Gad’s arrest marked the second time in less than a month that multiple federal agencies played a role in helping apprehend a fugitive who fled overseas following a Union County homicide and remained at large for a matter of years,

Gad is now expected to be extradited to the United States during the coming months, after which a first appearance will be held in Superior Court.

Gad could face 30 years to life in state prison on first-degree murder charges.

(Photo via Union County Prosecutor's Office: Eslam Gad, 27, formerly of Elizabeth)

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