In the early morning hours of a summer Saturday in Camden, New Jersey, the life of 57-year-old Patrick Lowe was tragically cut short. On August 6, 2016, at approximately 2:55 a.m., the sound of multiple gunshots pierced the night on the 1200 block of Whitman Avenue. When Camden County Police officers arrived at the scene, they discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both Patrick Lowe and 32-year-old Tauhid Taylor, both residents of Camden, were rushed to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Patrick Lowe succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Tauhid Taylor, the second victim in the shooting, underwent surgery and was listed in stable condition. The incident prompted an immediate and intensive investigation by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and the Camden County Police Department, who worked to piece together the events that led to the deadly shooting.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, 29-year-old Vyron J. Johnson, also of Camden. Later that same day, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Johnson was located and arrested near the intersection of South 6th and Royden Streets in Camden by the U.S. Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from local detectives. Johnson was charged with the first-degree murder of Patrick Lowe and the first-degree attempted murder of Tauhid Taylor.
Ultimately, Vyron Johnson faced justice for his actions. In June 2018, he pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter for the death of Patrick Lowe and aggravated assault for the injuries sustained by the other man. Johnson was subsequently sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison for the killing. The terms of his sentence require him to serve at least 17 years before becoming eligible for parole.
