In the quiet community of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, the life of 24-year-old Arturo “Arty” Barrera III was tragically cut short on the night of January 2, 2020. On that Thursday evening, at approximately 11:20 p.m., the sound of gunshots shattered the peace on the 100 block of Vermont Avenue. When police responded to a 911 call, they found Barrera inside his residence suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate response, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The initial investigation revealed a harrowing story of a home invasion gone fatally wrong. An eyewitness reported that two masked and armed men entered the home, pointing their firearms at Barrera and another individual. The situation escalated when dogs in the house began to bark and move towards the intruders. As Barrera stood up, the gunmen opened fire, striking him multiple times before fleeing into the night. The authorities assured the public that the incident did not appear to be a random act.
For more than a year, the case remained a source of pain and unanswered questions for Barrera's family and the community. In their grief, his parents offered a $10,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest and indictment, pleading for someone to come forward. Their wait for justice saw a breakthrough in March 2021. The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office announced charges against two men: 26-year-old Leonard B. Ludwigsen Jr. of Egg Harbor Township and 28-year-old Neco J. Pitts of Long Branch. Both were charged with murder, robbery, and other related offenses.
Further investigation and legal proceedings unraveled the plot, identifying a third individual involved in the deadly robbery. Steven Huff, 32, of South Carolina, was later charged, with authorities alleging he and Pitts were the two masked men who entered Barrera’s home. Ludwigsen was identified as the getaway driver who remained in a car outside. The motive, as it emerged, was a plan to steal drugs and money. Neco Pitts eventually admitted to his role, stating he had fired at Barrera's legs during the botched robbery. In November 2024, Pitts was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Ludwigsen also reached a plea agreement. As part of their plea deals, Pitts and Ludwigsen faced the possibility of reduced sentences if they cooperated in the conviction of the third suspect. In August 2025, Huff, a childhood friend of Pitts, was ordered to be held in jail pending trial.
