In the quiet community of Port Norris, a domestic altercation escalated into a fatal encounter that ended the life of 29-year-old Benjamin Broughton. On March 22, 2014, outside of his own home, Broughton was shot once in the face, a single act of violence that would have lasting repercussions for all involved. The man responsible for the shooting, Errick Young, who was 20 years old at the time, fled the scene, sparking a nearly month-long manhunt.
Law enforcement, including the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit and the United States Marshal's Task Force, tracked Young to an apartment building in Clementon. When authorities arrived on April 9, 2014, Young attempted to escape through a second-floor window but was apprehended within the apartment without further incident. He was subsequently taken into custody and held at the Cumberland County Jail on a one-million-dollar cash bail.
In October, Errick Young pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter.
During the sentencing, seven of Benjamin Broughton's loved ones spoke about the profound impact his death had on their lives. Despite having no prior adult criminal record, the prosecution pointed to Young's decision to bring a loaded gun to a domestic dispute and his subsequent flight from the scene as grounds for a significant prison term. The court ultimately sentenced Young to 22 years in prison. Under the terms of his sentence, he will be required to serve over 18 years before becoming eligible for parole and will then be subject to five years of parole supervision.
