New charges for suspect in mass shooting at Fairfield birthday party
FAIRFIELD - A man previously accused of obstructing an investigation into a mass shooting here now faces two counts of murder.
Arthur Armstead, 30, is charged in connection with the deaths of Brailyn Holmes and Kevin Elliott, who were among several hundred people at a birthday party that erupted in gunfire in May 2021
Another man, Zedekiah Holmes, 23, of Millville, has been charged since August 2021 with the murders of a third victim, 26-year-old Asia Hester of Fairfield, and Elliott, a 30-year-old Bridgeton resident.
Brailyn Holmes, a 19-year-old college student, was standing next to her brother, Zedekiah, when a gunfight broke out, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.
Daniel King died one day after arrest Videos capture Millville man's actions with trooper before he died in custody
The prosecutor's office previously had announced no homicide charge in connection with her death.
Zedekiah Holmes was among 11 people injured during the gunfight outside a Commerce Street home.
Police believe six guns were fired during the incident shortly after 11:30 p.m.
They recovered 48 shells and found nine guns at the scene.
Armstead, a Fairfield resident, has been in custody since May 27, 2021, when he was charged with obstruction and hindering apprehension.
"Information was recently developed implicating Armstead in the shooting," the prosecutor's office said in announcing new charges were brought on Oct. 19.
A witness to the shooting told investigators that Armstead's presence at the party was surprising due to the suspect's ongoing feuds with other guests, according to a probable cause statement for the upgraded charges.
Police also were told Armstead was seen shooting in the direction of the house.
Details provided by a witness "corroborated the ballistic evidence at the scene & location of the victims in respect to Armstead's location," the statement said.
Armstead was arrested after fleeing first to Wilmington and an Atlantic City hotel, the probable cause statement notes.
He also is charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of conspiracy to commit murder, and multiple weapons offenses.
The charges are only allegations. Armstead has not been convicted in the case,
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: New information leads to murder charge against Arthur Armstead
