In the evening hours of May 17, 2022, a burst of gunfire shattered the night in Camden, New Jersey, leaving 31-year-old Luis Vazquez-Garcia fatally wounded. A ShotSpotter alert drew Camden County police officers to the 700 block of State Street shortly before 9:30 p.m. There, they discovered Vazquez-Garcia inside a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, but his injuries proved too severe, and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. This tragic incident marked the second fatal shooting in Camden that day, deepening the community's sorrow.
The investigation into the death of Vazquez-Garcia quickly launched into a collaborative effort between the Camden County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Unit and the Camden County Police Department. Their appeal for information from the public was a crucial step in piecing together the events that led to the shooting. Investigators were able to utilize surveillance footage from the area which reportedly captured the moments leading up to the fatal encounter. The footage allegedly showed a suspect approaching Vazquez-Garcia's vehicle and opening fire multiple times.
Just a week after the shooting, a significant development occurred in the case. On May 24, 2022, 20-year-old Jason Mcallister of Camden turned himself in to the authorities. Mcallister was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and weapons offenses in connection with the death of Luis Vazquez-Garcia. Following his surrender, he was taken to the Camden County Correctional Facility to await further legal proceedings. While an arrest has been made, the investigation into the shooting was reported to be ongoing.
