By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Union County have announced charges against two men in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in Elizabeth last summer.
According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, Stevens Charles-Pierre, 27, of Linden (pictured), and Brunel Thimotee, 20, of Philadelphia, are facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, in the death of 47-year-old Jose Aranzamendi of Elizabeth.
The shooting occurred in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 7, 2024, in the 400 block of Westminster Avenue.
Elizabeth police officers responded to the area following reports of gunfire and discovered two men suffering from gunshot wounds.
Aranzamendi was rushed to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
A second victim, a 51-year-old man, survived his injuries after receiving medical treatment.
Following an extensive investigation conducted by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, the Elizabeth Police Department, and the Union County Sheriff’s Department, authorities arrested Charles-Pierre on March 24, 2025. He is currently being held at the Essex County Jail awaiting his first court appearance.
One day later, on March 25, Thimotee was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Norfolk, Virginia. He remains in custody pending extradition to New Jersey.
In addition to the murder and conspiracy charges, both men are also facing charges of aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, resisting arrest, and various weapons offenses.
Anyone with further information regarding this case is urged to contact Union County Homicide Task Force Detective Angela Concepcion at (908) 341-5416.