On the evening of October 7, 2021, a tragedy unfolded in the parking lot of a Walmart on Route 541 in Burlington Township, New Jersey, that would claim the life of 17-year-old Albert Israel Williams III. Known affectionately to his family as “Poocho” or “Albe,” and to his friends as “AJ,” Albert was a young man described as compassionate, affectionate, and selfless.
Born on June 22, 2004, in Trenton, he had a vibrant personality and a love for his family that was evident to all who knew him. He was known for his bright smile, his love of reading, and his protective nature over his parents and siblings.
That fateful night, what was supposed to be a planned meeting escalated into a violent altercation. An argument broke out, and gunfire erupted, striking both Albert and his father, Dion E. Williams Sr. The teenager was hit in the chest and rushed to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries. His father was also wounded in the shooting but was treated at the hospital and later released. The incident cut short a promising young life and left a family devastated by their sudden and violent loss.
The investigation into Albert's death was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Their work led to the identification of several suspects. Four individuals were ultimately indicted by a grand jury on a multitude of charges, including first-degree murder and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. The indicted individuals were identified as Tarik Jenkins, 25, of Pemberton Township; Jayviyohn J. Earley, 19; Kweli L. McCants, 20; and Kayhree Simmons, 19, all from Willingboro.
The charges against the group were extensive. Earley, Simmons, and Jenkins faced charges of first-degree murder and weapons offenses. All four men were charged with second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. The 14-count indictment also included charges of possession of a firearm while committing certain drug crimes, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, aggravated assault, hindering apprehension, and obstructing the administration of law. The apprehension of the suspects occurred in the days and months following the shooting, with one of the suspects, Tarik Jenkins, being taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force at a residence in Edgewater Park.
