News
Two Shot Dead On Locust Street Red Bank killings were 'not random,' says prosecutor
By Ryan Fennell
RED BANK - Three suspects have been taken into custody following a double homicide that took place on Locust Avenue in Red Bank at approximately 1:35 a.m. on February 10.
According to authorities, the suspects were apprehended "within minutes" after police responded to multiple 911 calls from neighbors reporting gunshots in the area.
Upon arrival at Locust Avenue the responding police officers discovered Joseph Fann, 23, of Red Bank inside a 1998 white Lexus and Sidney Wakefield, 26, of Long Branch on the corner of Locust Avenue and Leighton Place. Both men had been shot several times and were pronounced dead at the scene.
One of the first to arrive on scene was Patrolman James DePonte, who upon his arrival observed three men in a 2003 black Audi leaving the area. After waiting for backup to arrive, DePonte went in search of the Audi and found the vehicle traveling northbound on Route 35 in Middletown in the area of Twinbrooks Avenue.
DePonte conducted a motor vehicle check of the Audi and which contained Samson Theodore "Freedom" Hearn, 26, of Fair Haven, Eric Joel "Pun" Figueras, 25, of Red Bank, and Antonio Domingo "Mingo" Suarez-Perez, 21, of Red Bank.
All three men were taken to the Red Bank Police Headquarters.
According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin the investigation revealed that all five men were acquainted with one another and that the three men in the Audi had a chance encounter with Fann and Wakefield at a local gas station approximately two hours before the shootings occurred.
The preliminary investigation further revealed that approximately two hours after the initial encounter, Suarez-Perez and the two victims had a confrontation in the area of Locust Avenue at which point Suarez-Perez "brandished a handgun and fatally shot both victims" Valentin said.
"The investigation has further revealed that a robbery took place during the course of the shootings," Valentin said. "Suarez-Perez shot Wakefield, the apparent driver of the Lexus, numerous times as he fled the vehicle. Wakefield was shot a minimum of five times including several times at close range while he lay on the ground."
Valentin said that after the shooting Suarez-Perez fled the scene on foot to an area where his alleged accomplices, Hearn and Figueras, were waiting in the Audi.
"While detectives were investigating the shooting several concerned citizens observed a handgun at the intersection of Twinbrooks Avenue and Route 35 in Middletown a distance from the motor vehicle stop," Valentin said.
The semi-automatic handgun was recovered and turned over to authorities.
Suarez-Perez, the alleged shooter, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, two counts of first degree felony murder, one count each of first degree armed robbery, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth degree tampering with physical evidence by attempting to discard the handgun.
Figueras and Hearn have each been charged with two counts of first degree felony murder, one count each of first degree armed robbery, second degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third degree hindering apprehension and fourth degree obstructing the administration of law. The latter charges are assessed for allegedly operating the getaway car for the shooter.
All three suspects are currently being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Quinn has set "cash-only" bail for all three suspects. Suarez-Perez's bail has been set at $3,372,500 and Figueras and Hearn each has a bail set at $1,877,500.
All three suspects were scheduled to appear before Monmouth County Superior Judge Ira E. Kreizman for an initial appearance at 1:30 pm Wednesday.
Valentin took an opportunity to commend the swift and effective police work involved in the case.
"That police work coupled with the cooperation of the public has resulted in the expeditious arrest of three suspects," Valentin said. "I also wish to take a moment to give special recognition to the prompt and courageous actions of Patrolman James DePonte, a two-year member of the Red Bank Police Department."
Valentin said that the preliminary investigation has revealed that the primary motive for the crimes was "robbery of at least one of the victims." Valentin also said that there was an effort to take drugs from at least one of the victims and noted that the drug in question was cocaine.
Valentin would not elaborate on the details of that assessment.
Valentin also said that this double homicide was not gang related according to the preliminary investigation.
"The use of nicknames is not strictly limited to membership in gangs," said Valentin. "I can tell you that our preliminary investigation and assessment of this case, this double homicide is not gang related.
"This appears to be an isolated incident," Valentin went on to say. "However, it is not random. Obviously the individuals knew one another. We don't want to send any alarm to the residents, the hardworking people of Red Bank."
Valentin also said that it does not appear that the victims were armed based on the preliminary investigation.
"We all have to be vigilant. The enormous amount of guns throughout our state and throughout our land should give us great pause and concern for things of this magnitude but the last homicide that occurred in Red Bank, I believe, was in 2001."
"So this is a safe community," Valentin added. "A community of many good, hardworking individuals who wake up every morning and go about doing responsible things in their daily lives. So, again, this appears to be an isolated incident."
