On a tragic Sunday morning in Bridgeton, New Jersey, a dispute that began within the walls of a local bar escalated into fatal violence on the city streets, claiming the life of 24-year-old Earikeem Lewis. The incident, which unfolded on April 12, 2015, started as an altercation inside the Las Palmas Tequila Bar on Cohansey Street. The conflict, however, did not end there. It spilled out onto the streets, culminating in a violent confrontation at the intersection of Washington and Cohansey streets.
It was at this intersection that the verbal dispute turned deadly. Multiple gunshots rang out, and in the ensuing chaos, Lewis was struck. He was rushed to Inspira Health Center Bridgeton, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead.
Another man, Quamere Redding, also sustained gunshot wounds during the altercation and was taken to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.
The Bridgeton Police Department, in conjunction with the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, launched a thorough investigation into the shooting. Detectives pieced together the events of that morning, gathering evidence and speaking with witnesses. Their investigation led them to identify Quamere Redding, the other man injured in the shooting, as the primary suspect in Lewis's death.
Following the investigation, Redding was arrested and charged with murder and weapons offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of Earikeem Lewis. An indictment later revealed that Redding was allegedly in possession of a. 380-caliber semi-automatic Bersa handgun at the time of the incident.
