Members of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force obtained complaint warrants for four men involved in a shootout in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1, 2018, in the city of Elizabeth, which resulted in the shooting death of 26-year-old Daniel Louis of Irvington.
In connection with that incident, warrants for the following individuals were obtained:
Sharif Q. Robinson, 27, of Jersey City, who is charged with one count of 1st degree murder, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree hindering apprehension or prosecution
Jonathan Philippe, 25, of Irvington, who is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault and one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for on lawful purpose
Pierre Cadet, 26, of Irvington, who is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree aggravated assault, one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and one count of second-degree eluding.
Don LaFortune, 23, of Irvington, who is charged with one count of first degree attempted murder, one count of second-degree aggravated assault and one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an lawful purpose.
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The securing of the complaint against these four defendants followed an exhaustive investigation that began in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1st.
Officials said it was approximately 2:30 in the morning when a large group assembled outside Exotics Gentlemen’s Club located on the 1100 block of Elizabeth Avenue. A fight between members of a group broke out and during the scuffle; one of the members of the crowd fired two shots into the air.
The mob immediately dispersed, including the four charged individuals, proceeded into a parking lot across the street. At that point, Robinson shot unharmed Daniel Louis, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. An Elizabeth officer on patrol in the area heard the initial gunshots and called for assistance.
Immediately after Louis was shot, Robinson, Philippe, Cadet and LaFortune became involved in a shootout in the parking lot, firing numerous rounds. It was at this moment that two Elizabeth police officers arrived at the scene, on foot, and immediately witnessed the firefight in progress.
The officers advanced towards the shooters and were fired upon by Philippe and Cadet, who were near their vehicle, a Maserati. Neither officer was hit by the gunfire.
The patrolmen returned fire but the two men were able to enter the car, with Cadet driving, and flee at a higher rate of speed. Officers gave chase into Newark, where the two were able to evade the officers, abandon the vehicle and escape. The car was ultimately recovered, held and processed for evidentiary purposes.
Following around the clock efforts by members of law-enforcement, both Cadet and LaFortune were arrested and taken into custody and are currently being housed at the Union County Jail pending Pretrial Detention Hearings.
According to authorities, both Robinson and Philippe remain at large and should be considered armed and dangerous anyone who sees or comes in contact with either men is cautioned not to approach them and call 911.
The Union County crime stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of Robinson and Philippe in this matter. Tips can be given anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting UCTIP to 274637 or online at www.uctip.org.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.