Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Mr. William Brandon, 28, of Somerset and Mr. Chris Gardner, 29, of New Brunswick, in relation to the shooting death of Raphael Edwards, 27 of Franklin Township that occurred on July 7, in the area of Village Drive, Franklin Park.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Tuesday, July 7, at approximately 11:52 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to 9-1-1 calls reporting shots fired in the area of Village Drive, Franklin Park. Responding officers located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound in the area of Village Drive.
Franklin Township Police Officers immediately began to administer lifesaving measures along with the responding emergency medical personnel.
Officials say the victim, whom authorities have identified as Raphael Edwards, 27, of Franklin Park, was transported to an area trauma center where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.
A two-month investigation into this homicide was conducted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department.
As part of this investigation, numerous interviews were conducted as well as follow up investigations.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this investigation, defendant Brandon was arrested on Tuesday, August 25 without incident and charged with 1st-degree, Murder and 2nd-degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Defendant Brandon was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on Monday, August 31, detectives arrested defendant Gardner without incident. Defendant Gardner was charged with 1st-degree, Murder, 1st-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder and 2nd-degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Defendant Gardner was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.
Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. previously offered a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and indictment of the individual(s) responsible for the shooting death of Raphael Edwards.