2004 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

March 31, 2004

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi and Acting Camden Police Chief Edwin J. Figueroa reported today that four male juveniles charged in connection with the shooting of a 16-year-old girl in Camden, N.J., on March 23, 2004, face pre-trial court hearings on Thursday, April 1, 2004.

All four defendants, three 17-year-olds and one 15, are being held at the Camden County Youth Detention Center in Blackwood, N.J. They are scheduled for hearings before Superior Court Judge Louis F. Hornstine at approximately 9 a.m. Thursday in Courtroom 23 of the Camden County Hall of Justice, 5th Street and Mickle Boulevard, Camden.

Two defendants were arrested on Monday, March 29, and two others were arrested on Tuesday, March 30. The investigation indicates that the shooting stemmed from an escalating dispute between two groups of young people that had begun the previous week over an alleged rock-throwing incident in the area of the Beacon Place Apartments in the 1400 block of Sheridan Street.

The shooting victim, Tatiana Adkins, was not involved in the dispute, investigation indicates. Adkins, a student at the Dr. Charles E. Brimm Medical Arts High School in the 1600 block of Copewood Avenue, happened to be walking with a friend in the 1400 block of Carl Miller Boulevard at about 3:30 p.m. on March 23 and was struck when one of the 17-year-old defendants fired a handgun down the street. The bullet passed through the right side of Adkins' chest and lodged in her right arm. The victim has been released from the hospital and is recuperating at home, but the bullet remains lodged in her arm. Doctors plan to try to remove the slug once the bone heals further.

The investigation indicates that on the day of the shooting, the 15-year-old defendant allegedly brought a handgun in a backpack to school with him at the Medical Arts High School. After school, he and friends who attend Camden High School met and proceeded to the area of the Beacon Place Apartments to confront the rival group of youths. A fistfight ensued. During the course of the altercation, a 17-year-old defendant allegedly took the handgun from the 15-year-old's backpack and fired a shot down Carl Miller Boulevard, striking Adkins, investigation indicates.

The alleged shooter is charged with Aggravated Assault and weapons offenses. The 15-year-old is charged with possessing the handgun at school, and the other two defendants are charged with weapons offenses.

Sarubbi said no determination has yet been made as to which, if any, of the defendants he will have his office seek to waive to adult court. The defendants face up to three years or more if adjudicated in juvenile court and up to 10 years or more if convicted in adult court.

Sarubbi and Figueroa thanked Camden Police Detectives Leon Reed and Mark Moore for their thorough and determined investigation, which led to the arrests.

"It's deeply disturbing that something like this could happen to a young woman simply walking down the street after school," Sarubbi said. "Everyone in the law enforcement community wishes her a speedy and full recovery. Regrettably, the effects of this incident will no doubt stay with her for a long, long time."

The investigation continues. Authorities are seeking to locate the weapon used in the shooting, believed to be a .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol. Anyone with information is asked to call Camden Police Detective Leon Reed at (856) 757-7058 or Senior Investigator Keith Sharper of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at (856) 225-8400.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.