Burlington County authorities reported that an 18-year-old Pemberton Township man has been charged with fatally shooting his friend in the victim’s Maple Shade home early this morning.
Officials say, Jah-son Jones, of the 200 block of Hargrove Avenue, was charged this afternoon with Reckless Manslaughter, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, all second-degree offenses. He was lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court.
The investigation began after officers from the Maple Shade Police Department were called to the victim’s residence in the 300 block of South Coles Avenue at approximately 3:45 a.m. today. Upon arrival, it was determined that Nasiah Carson, 19, had been taken to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden by others in the home after the shooting occurred. He was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
The investigation revealed that the shooting appeared to have been accidental. Jones and Carson played with a handgun they believed was unloaded when Jones pointed it at Carson and squeezed the trigger.
A cartridge was in the chamber, and the firearm discharged, striking the victim.
An autopsy will be performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood.
The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office and the Maple Shade Police Department.
The lead investigators are BCPO Detectives Dan Schules and Melyssa Alonso, and MSPD Detective Jeff Engel. Jones will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson.
All persons are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.