MAYS LANDING, NJ—Kalief Lyons, a 35-year-old man from Galloway Township, New Jersey, has been indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury on charges of murder and related weapons offenses. The indictment stems from a fatal shooting that took place on the evening of May 9, 2024, in Pleasantville, NJ.
Authorities reported that at approximately 11:02 PM, the Pleasantville Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter alert indicating multiple gunshots at 9 West Pleasant Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Baseem Taliaferro, 38, in the first-floor apartment with a fatal gunshot wound to his chest. Taliaferro was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that an argument involving Lyons and several others occurred near the location about twenty minutes before the gunfire. Surveillance footage later captured Lyons returning to the scene wearing a ski mask shortly before the shooting and then seen leaving the area minutes after the shots were fired, no longer wearing the mask.
The case continues to develop as law enforcement follows up on this and other leads.