Somerset County officials announced the arrest of Nasir J. Williams aka “Duck”, 20, and Ishadir S. Hunter aka “Ice”, 22, both of Somerset in relation to the death of Jamari R. Stephenson, 23, of Franklin Township that occurred on May 18, in the area of Holland Drive in Franklin Township.
Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson stated that on Tuesday, May 18, at approximately 12:04 a.m., Franklin Township Police responded to a 9-1-1 call to a residence on Holland Drive, Somerset reporting an adult male in distress following a physical altercation.
County officials said responding officers encountered an unresponsive adult male inside of the residence, who authorities have identified as Jamari R. Stephenson, 23, Somerset.
According to county officials, responding Franklin Township Officers quickly ascertained that Mr. Stephenson had been stabbed numerous times and began life-saving measures along with Emergency Responding Medical Personnel. The efforts to revive Mr. Stephenson were unsuccessful and he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
A post-mortem examination was subsequently performed by the Medical Examiner’s Office which ruled Stephenson’s death a homicide.
According to police, on May 19, as a result of this investigation, Nasir J. Williams aka “Duck” was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree Murder, first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first-degree Armed Robbery and third-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Defendant Williams was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Additionally, on May 19, as a result of this investigation, Ishadir S. Hunter aka “Ice” was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree Murder, first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder, first-degree Armed Robbery, third-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and fourth-degree Criminal Mischief. Defendant Hunter was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Director Spruill request anyone with information relating to this homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477).
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.