BRIDGETON, N.J. – A man wanted on murder and weapons charges in connection with a fatal June shooting in Bridgeton has turned himself in after remaining at large for more than two months.
Rynell L. Lawrence, 32, surrendered to the Bridgeton Police Department during the early morning hours Sunday, according to an update from the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutors said the state will seek to keep Lawrence jailed while the case moves forward.
- Lawrence is charged with first-degree murder and three weapons offenses in the death of Aquashawn T. White.
- White, 38, of Newark, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at the Burlington Manor Complex on June 24.
- Lawrence surrendered Sunday morning, and prosecutors said they will seek pretrial detention.
Lawrence Wanted Since June Murder Charges Filed
The case began shortly after 8 p.m. June 24, when Bridgeton Police officers were dispatched to South Burlington Road at the Burlington Manor Complex for a report of a gunshot victim.
Officers arrived at approximately 8:08 p.m. and found White, 38, of Frontage Road in Newark, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
White later died from his injuries.
An investigation by Bridgeton Police and the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office led authorities to Lawrence, who lived on South Burlington Road in Bridgeton.
Prosecutors filed charges against Lawrence on June 26.
He was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and fourth-degree certain persons not to have a weapon.
Lawrence had not been apprehended when the prosecutor’s office publicly announced the charges June 29.
Police Had Warned Lawrence Was Armed and Dangerous
Authorities launched a search for Lawrence with assistance from the New Jersey State Police Fugitive Unit.
At the time, prosecutors issued a direct warning to the public.
“Lawrence should be considered armed and dangerous,” the prosecutor’s office said. “The public should not approach him.”
Investigators also appealed for information about his whereabouts while continuing to investigate White’s killing.
That search ended early Sunday when Lawrence went to Bridgeton Police and surrendered.
The prosecutor’s office did not disclose what led to his decision to turn himself in or provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding his surrender.
Prosecutors Will Seek Pretrial Detention
Lawrence is now expected to face the charges filed against him in June.
“The State will move for Pre-Trial Detention,” the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office said in its Sunday update.
A judge will ultimately determine whether Lawrence remains detained while the criminal case proceeds.
The prosecutor’s office has not released additional details about what investigators believe led to White’s shooting or publicly described a possible motive.
The investigation has been handled by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and Bridgeton Police Department.
Lawrence’s charges are accusations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Rynell L. Lawrence surrendered to Bridgeton Police Sunday morning.
Lawrence had been wanted since June on charges stemming from the fatal shooting of Aquashawn T. White at the Burlington Manor Complex.
Lawrence faces murder and weapons charges.
Prosecutors charged him with first-degree murder and three weapons offenses following a joint Bridgeton Police and Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office investigation.
Prosecutors want Lawrence held while the case proceeds.
The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office said the state will seek pretrial detention following his surrender.
Sources: Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office; Bridgeton Police Department
