A man charged with unlawful possession of firearms following a mass shooting in Cumberland County last month has been ordered released from jail pending trial.
Larry D. McCrae Jr., 39, of Bridgeton, helped plan a birthday party attended by several hundred people at a home in Fairfield Township on May 22.
Three people were killed and 11 others wounded when gunfire broke out late that night, sending partygoers fleeing for safety. Asia Hester, 25, Kevin Elliott, 30, and Brailyn Holmes, 19, died of gunshot wounds. No one has been charged in the killings and no motive has been revealed.
Police searching vehicles after the incident allegedly found two handguns on the floor in the backseat of McCrae’s car. The guns were not used during the incident, authorities said, and McCrae is not accused of firing a weapon during the party.
McCrae told police he had the guns, a .25-caliber semi-automatic handgun and a .38-caliber revolver, for his protection after he was wounded in a 2019 shooting, Assistant Prosecutor Charles Wettstein said during a detention hearing held last week.
Arguing for McCrae’s pre-trial detention, Wettstein cited his decision to bring guns to a party, and the defendant’s prior history, which includes convictions for hindering apprehension, resisting arrest and simple assault, and prior failures to appear in court.
Public defender Sophia Waldstein noted that McCrae’s record includes no indictable convictions, no gun crimes and no recent offenses, adding that he now has a stable life, resides with his mother and works at a nursing home.
As for the weapons in his car, he carries guns for his own protection “because of the trauma he suffered in 2019,” Waldstein said. “He actually has a surgery coming up this month to get some wires removed from his jaw as a result of that shooting a couple of years ago.”
She noted that McCrae has cooperated with police throughout the investigation.
As Superior Court Judge Cristen P. D’Arrigo reviewed the arguments, McCrae chimed in via video from jail, telling the judge he forgot the guns were in the car.
“I didn’t have them on me the whole time at the party,” he said. “I just forget they was in there.”
D’Arrigo rejected the prosecution’s detention motion and ordered McCrae’s release, citing his cooperation with investigators and lack of any apparent involvement in the shooting.
He must report to court officials weekly and have no contact with anyone who attended the party. He is scheduled to return to court July 15 for a pre-indictment conference.
The birthday party was being held for Darrell M. Dawkins, 31, of Fairfield, who was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm after a handgun was found in the trunk of his car. He was ordered jailed pending trial on that charge.
His step-brother, Kevin K. Dawkins, 36, of Fairfield Township, is charged with attempted murder and weapons offenses. He allegedly fired a handgun following the initial burst of gunfire, but prosecutors have not accused him of striking anyone. He was also ordered held pending trial.
Authorities ask anyone who attended the gathering and may have cellphone footage from the party or the shooting itself to call the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station at 856-451-0101 or submit a tip via the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office tipline at www.njccpo.org/tips.
Police have established a database for witnesses to anonymously upload cellphone video captured during the incident.
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Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
Man jailed on gun charges following mass shooting at N.J. house party released pending trial - NJ.com
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