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UPDATE: 19-Year-Old Charged with Somerset Murder

Somerset County

Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Christopher L.C. Kuberiet and Director Anthony A. Caputo of the New Brunswick Police Department announced that a man from Franklin Township was charged today with the murder of a 21-year-old New Brunswick man on December 23, 2019.

Police Mr. Kerron Parker, 19, of the Somerset section of Franklin Township was arrested and charged with the murder of Sharif Austin, 21, of New Brunswick.

Parker was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, both second degree crimes.

The charges were filed following an investigation by Detective Erika DiMarcello of the New Brunswick Police Department and Detective Mark Morris of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police say it was determined that on December 23, 2019, at approximately 11:55 pm, on the corner of Lee Avenue and Handy Street, Parker shot the victim, Sharif Austin. He was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he died on December 24, 2019 from his injuries.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Erika DiMarcello at (732) 745-5200 or Detective Deon McCall at (732) 745-3848.

Parker will be held at the Middlesex County Corrections Center pending a Detention Hearing.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Parker are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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