In the early morning hours of July 30, 2022, a dispute in the parking lot of the Maple Gardens Apartments in Bridgeton, New Jersey, turned deadly, claiming the life of 36-year-old Herbert R. Lee Jr. A father of six, Lee was a bystander who intervened in the escalating conflict. The altercation involved several individuals, including two men who were reportedly armed.
Surveillance footage from the scene captured the chaotic moments leading up to the fatal shooting.
Two men, later identified as Ryan Askins and Desmond L. Bethel, were seen brandishing handguns and firing multiple shots into the air. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, Lee engaged in a physical altercation with Bethel. It was at this point that Askins allegedly tackled Lee and shot him in the chest. Emergency services were called, and Lee was rushed to Inspira Hospital in Bridgeton, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.
In the immediate aftermath, law enforcement identified Askins and Bethel as the primary suspects. While Bethel was apprehended shortly after the incident, Askins managed to evade capture. Later that same morning, Millville police spotted Askins and a high-speed chase ensued, with speeds reaching up to 80 miles per hour before officers terminated the pursuit for public safety reasons. A manhunt for Askins was launched, and a cash reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.
After a nearly six-month search, the investigation led authorities to Georgia. On January 21, 2023, through a collaborative effort involving the U.S. Marshals, Georgia State Patrol, and the Clayton County Police Department, Ryan Askins was located and taken into custody. Askins now faces charges of murder and weapons offenses. Desmond L. Bethel was charged with weapons offenses.
