On a winter evening in Somerset, New Jersey, the life of 19-year-old Samaad Frazier, a male, was tragically cut short. On December 31, 2019, Frazier was discovered inside a vehicle parked behind a residence on Churchill Avenue, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First responders administered life-saving aid before rushing him to a local hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
A subsequent autopsy confirmed that his death was a homicide.
The shooting was part of a string of violent incidents that had unsettled the Franklin Township community. In the days leading up to Frazier's death, there were other reports of shots fired into homes in the area. Following the discovery of Frazier, police identified a suspect vehicle fleeing the scene at high speed. A pursuit ensued through local streets until the vehicle crashed at an intersection. Five occupants fled the car on foot, prompting a chase by officers.
Three of the suspects were apprehended shortly after the crash. Gavin M. Owens-Jones, 18, was found armed with a semi-automatic handgun and was taken into custody after complying with an order to drop his weapon. Jeffrey J. Grant Jr., 19, and a 16-year-old male were also captured that day. A fourth suspect, another 16-year-old, was arrested two days later. The fifth and final suspect, 21-year-old Luther Waters III, remained at large for a period before he was eventually located and taken into custody.
The five individuals faced serious charges in connection with the death of Samaad Frazier, including murder and weapons possession. Owens-Jones and Grant also faced charges of eluding police. The two juvenile suspects were also charged, with one facing a murder charge and the other a charge of eluding. The investigation into the series of shootings and the motive behind Frazier's murder involved multiple law enforcement agencies. Frazier was remembered as a 2018 graduate of Franklin High School and a talented basketball player.
