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Markese Rogers, a 30-year-old Pittsgrove resident, Ashley Acevedo Diaz, 27, Shakeem Waters, 36 and Noel Lazu, 35, pled guilty this month for their involvement in an incident that led to NJSP Detective Richard Hershey being shot at the Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.
Hershey was on scene investigating a report of a woman beaten and robbed during a home invasion, Platkin said. While Hershey was at the scene, a hostile group of 15 people pulled up in five vehicles intending to attack a family member of the victim who resided inside the mobile home park, Platkin said.
The members of the caravan were armed with handguns, a knife, and a bottle, Platkin said. Lazu coordinated the group, which initially gathered in Bridgeton and eventually traveled to the trailer park where the incident occurred, Platkin said.
Rogers, accompanied by other suspects, confronted Detective Hershey, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer and gave commands in an effort to control the situation, Platkin said. Rogers and the others ignored Detective Hershey’s commands, Platkin said.
Individuals at the scene continued to advance toward Detective Hershey, at which point he drew his weapon to defend himself, Platkin said. Tremaine Hadden, 32, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings, 26, and Kareen “Kai” Warner, 23, all from Bridgeton, opened fire on Detective Hershey, Platkin said.
Hershey was struck in the hip and seriously wounded, Platkin said. Despite being critically wounded, Hershey returned fire with his service weapon as the suspects fled, Platkin said. Hershey has since recovered and returned to duty, Platkin said.
Hadden was convicted following a trial and sentenced to 37 years in state prison, Platkin said. Hutchings and Warner pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and were sentenced to 13 years and seven years in prison, respectively.
Rogers, Waters and Lazu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault while Acevedo Diaz pleaded guilty to riot. As part of a plea agreement, Rogers is expected to be sentenced to five years in prison, Lazu faces three years in prison while Acevedo Diaz and Waters will be sentenced to time served, Platkin said.
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