By: Tracie Carter
In the early hours of Saturday, December 2, 2023, tragedy struck when a shooting occurred at Wing-Dickerson Park, located at 36 Carpenter Street in Woodbury City.
According to Gloucester County Prosecutor Christine Hoffman, at approximately 1:22 a.m., Woodbury City Police were alerted to the incident and rushed to the scene.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 21-year-old Ti'jere K. Jackson with a single gunshot wound to the chest. Tragically, despite efforts to save him, Jackson was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Prompt and intensive investigative efforts by detectives from the Woodbury Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office led to the identification of the suspect, a juvenile.
Authorities continued their relentless pursuit, and on December 2, 2023, at around 3:30 p.m., members of the U.S. Marshals NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force - Camden Division, in collaboration with the Woodbury Police Department and the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office, intercepted a vehicle in Woodbury Heights.
This vehicle was observed picking up the juvenile suspect linked to the Woodbury homicide.
During the vehicle stop, a tense situation unfolded as the driver of the vehicle, identified as 20-year-old James Workman of Barrington, allegedly pointed a firearm at arresting officers.
Despite the dangerous encounter, officers successfully apprehended Workman along with the juvenile suspect connected to the Woodbury homicide.
The Gloucester County Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy on December 3, 2023, determining Jackson's manner of death as a homicide caused by a fatal gunshot wound.
Subsequently, charges were brought against the juvenile in relation to the homicide.
James Workman now faces several charges and is being held at the Salem County Correctional Facility:
- Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer by pointing a firearm
- Possession of a Ghost handgun
- Unlawful Possession Weapon
- Possession of Weapon Unlawful Purpose
- Possession of handgun with hollow-point ammunition
Additionally, 18-year-old Amante Black-Thompson of Woodbury has been charged with criminal attempted robbery:
- Criminal Attempted Robbery
It is essential to note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, with all the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State Law.