NORRISTOWN, PA – Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Norristown Police Chief Mark E. Talbot Sr. announce the arrest of Hilton Freeman, 21, of Norristown, for the murder of Junior Pinnock on April 25, 2021, and the arrest of Asia Jackson, 18, of Norristown, for hindering apprehension and tampering with evidence.
The two defendants fled the Norristown area following the murder and were arrested on May 10, 2021 by U.S. Marshalls at a relative’s home in Jacksonville, Fla.
The arrests stem from the murder of Pinnock on Sunday, April 25, 2021. At 9:08 p.m., Norristown Police responded to Ann and Barbadoes Streets in Norristown for a report of a man who had been shot. Police arrived to find the victim, Junior Pinnock, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was transported to Suburban Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The scene was processed, and four 9mm cartridge casings were recovered as well as the sheaf, blade and handle of a long-bladed knife.
Norristown Police and Montgomery County Detectives launched a joint investigation into the homicide. The investigation found through witness interviews and surveillance video that the victim had come to the area looking for co-defendant Montez Kent and called him when he found he wasn’t in an area residence. Soon after, a dark-colored vehicle parked in the nearby county-owned parking lot, from which Freeman and his co-defendant Kent exited.
The investigation found that Kent and the victim physically fought in the street, with Kent pulling a long-bladed knife from behind his back and lunging at the victim, who knocked the knife away. While they were fighting, Freeman shot the victim multiple times, then both men ran back to the vehicle and fled the area in a dark-colored vehicle.
Kent was arrested on April 28, 2021 and charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. He was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Margaret Hunsicker. There is no bail available for First-Degree Murder, and the defendant was remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m., June 3, 2021 before Magisterial District Judge Greg Scott.
Freeman was charged with First-Degree Murder, Third-Degree Murder, Conspiracy to Commit Murder, Person Not to Possess a Firearm and Possessing an Instrument of Crime. Jackson was charged with three felony counts of Hindering Apprehension for hiding Freeman, assisting his getaway and destroying evidence as well as Tampering with Evidence. Freeman and Jackson are being held at a facility in Jacksonville. They have waived extradition and will be transported back to Pennsylvania to face charges.