Upper Deerfield Twp., NJ – A burglary attempt at a residence in Upper Deerfield Township on the evening of February 19, 2024, ended tragically with a gunshot victim succumbing to his injuries and the arrest of a local man on weapons charges.
A homeowner shot and killed one man breaking into his home, but another escaped.
New Jersey State Troopers were called to the scene on Old Deerfield Pike around 7:14 pm, following reports of a burglary in progress. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Kevin Lucero, 24, who informed them of an injured male inside the home.
Despite troopers’ life-saving efforts, the victim, identified as 31-year-old Silvestre Marroquin of Bridgeton, died from his wounds. A second suspect, described only as a Hispanic male, escaped before law enforcement’s arrival and remains at large.
Following a court-authorized search, authorities seized three handguns from the scene, including two unregistered “ghost guns.” Lucero has been charged with possession of prohibited weapons and is currently held at the Cumberland County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing set for February 26, 2024.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, alongside New Jersey State Police investigators, continues to probe the incident, focusing on identifying the fleeing suspect.