On a Saturday night in June 2020, 30-year-old Roobino Philemon, a male from West Orange, New Jersey, was fatally shot in Bridgewater. Philemon, who worked as an Occupational Therapy Assistant, had traveled to a home on Bayberry Road with another individual to attend a birthday party. Upon their arrival, they were met at the front door by the homeowner, George A. Bease, who informed them they were not welcome.
Following the refusal of entry, Philemon and his companion returned to their vehicle and began to drive away. They stopped briefly on Foothill Road near the intersection with Bayberry Road. At this point, Bease approached the car and once again told Philemon, who was in the driver's seat, to leave. Shortly after, another man, identified as 33-year-old Hafeez A. Brown of Linden, walked toward the rear of the vehicle and fired a gun multiple times in its direction.
Philemon was struck by a single gunshot.
He told his passenger that he had been shot and stopped the car again. His passenger then moved him to the back seat, took over driving, and called 9-1-1. While en route to the hospital, the passenger saw a police vehicle on Route 22 East and flagged it down for help. Officers provided immediate medical assistance before Philemon was transported to a local trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.
The subsequent investigation led law enforcement to the Bayberry Road residence where the party was being held. A perimeter was established, and a shelter-in-place was issued for the surrounding area. Five individuals inside the home, including Brown and Bease, eventually exited and were taken into custody. A search of the residence uncovered two firearms, ammunition, and a significant quantity of marijuana.
Hafeez A. Brown was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and two counts of illegal firearms possession. George A. Bease, the homeowner, was also arrested and charged with illegal firearms possession in the course of a controlled dangerous substance offense. Both men were taken to the Somerset County Jail to await a detention hearing. Brown is reportedly the older brother of former NFL player Muhammad Wilkerson.
