A 27-year-old murder suspect wanted in the fatal shooting of his aunt was arrested in Camden after a multi-agency manhunt that prosecutors say ended with him still carrying a firearm.
A Woodstown man accused of gunning down his aunt inside their Salem County home has been captured following an extensive search involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Leroy Martin Jr., 27, was arrested in Camden and charged with murder, criminal restraint, and weapons offenses in connection with the death of 59-year-old Jacqueline Martin, according to the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office.
Welfare check led to homicide investigation
The investigation began at approximately 5:31 p.m. on May 30 when officers from the Woodstown Police Department responded to a residence on B. Lee Street for a welfare check.
Upon entering the home, officers discovered Jacqueline Martin dead from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigators determined that Leroy Martin Jr., who lived with the victim and was her nephew, had allegedly been involved in a domestic dispute with her shortly before the shooting.
“Upon entry, officers discovered Jacqueline Martin deceased from multiple gunshot wounds,” the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office said.
Authorities allege Martin fled the residence in the victim’s vehicle moments after the killing.
Search stretched across several South Jersey counties
The victim’s vehicle was recovered the following day in Camden, investigators said.
Detectives subsequently tracked Martin’s movements through portions of Salem, Gloucester, Camden, and possibly Cumberland counties as they worked to locate him.
“The victim’s vehicle was recovered the next day, May 31, in the City of Camden,” prosecutors said.
Law enforcement agencies spent several days following leads and coordinating efforts to locate the suspect.
Arrest made without incident in Camden
Martin was ultimately located and taken into custody in Camden by members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Authorities said the arrest was carried out without incident.
“After several days of continuous investigative work, Martin Jr. was located and apprehended in Camden, New Jersey,” prosecutors said.
Officials later revealed Martin was armed when he was arrested.
“Today’s safe arrest of Martin, who was armed with a firearm at the time of the arrest, is a testament to the skill and bravery of this task force,” Acting U.S. Marshal Nicholas Ricigliano said.
Prosecutor praises coordinated effort
Salem County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey credited the arrest to close cooperation among multiple agencies.
“This arrest reflects the value of strong law enforcement collaboration combined with tireless effort and attention to emerging leads,” Telsey said. “We thank the U.S. Marshals Service, the Woodstown Police Department, and the investigators of the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office for their relentless efforts to ensure the safety of the public.”
Ricigliano said members of the Camden and Atlantic City teams of the Regional Fugitive Task Force worked continuously to track down Martin after he was identified as the suspect.
“The Camden and Atlantic City Teams of the U.S. Marshals NYNJ Regional Fugitive Task Force worked tirelessly since Martin was identified as the alleged perpetrator of this murder to take him into custody,” Ricigliano said.
Suspect remains jailed
Martin is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility pending court proceedings.
The arrest involved personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, Salem County Sheriff’s Office, New Jersey State Police, New Jersey Department of Corrections, New Jersey State Parole Board, Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office, Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County Prosecutor’s Office, Camden County Sheriff’s Office, Camden County Police Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department, and Atlantic City Police Department.
As with all criminal defendants, Martin is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
• Leroy Martin Jr., 27, was arrested in Camden in connection with the fatal shooting of his aunt, Jacqueline Martin, in Woodstown.
• Prosecutors allege the suspect fled in the victim’s vehicle after the killing and traveled through multiple South Jersey counties.
• Authorities said Martin was armed with a firearm when members of the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested him.
