GREENWICH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Warren County) — Four people have been charged following a June shooting incident in the Upper Stewartsville section of Greenwich Township that authorities say stemmed from a physical altercation.
According to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Greenwich Township police responded at approximately 8 p.m. June 20 to the area of Prospect Street and Beacon Street for reports of shots fired.
Investigators determined a physical altercation involving multiple individuals escalated, resulting in one or more firearms being discharged. Authorities said no one was struck or injured by the gunfire.
As a result of the investigation, complaint warrants were issued July 1 charging Janelle L. Strickland, 21, of Stewartsville, with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit; John P. Hopkins, 26, of Phillipsburg, with two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit; Earl S. Deemer, 34, of Phillipsburg, with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit and second-degree certain persons not to possess a weapon; and Quadir N. Gray, 23, of Newark, with second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree aggravated assault for allegedly discharging a firearm in the direction of individuals.
Authorities said Strickland and Hopkins were arrested after the warrants were issued, processed and lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center.
On July 8, members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested Gray in Newark. He was processed and lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center.
Also on July 8, Deemer surrendered to the Greenwich Township Police Department. He was arrested, processed and lodged in the Warren County Correctional Center.
The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office said the state is expected to seek pretrial detention for Gray and Deemer during hearings scheduled for next week.
Authorities said the incident is believed to have been isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The investigation was conducted by the Greenwich Township Police Department and the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, with assistance from the Warren County Regional Crime Scene Team, Blairstown Township Police Department, Lopatcong Township Police Department, Pohatcong Township Police Department, the New Jersey State Police Washington Station and the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.
