SOMERVILLE, N.J. - Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives announced that on Thursday, the Honorable Kevin M. Shanahan, P.J.Cr., sentenced defendant Tamar Reaves, 20, of Park Street, Franklin Township, to 27 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 23 years to be served without parole, for his conviction for 1st degree aggravated manslaughter, 2nd degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and 2nd degree unlawful possession of a handgun.
officials say defendant Reaves’ conviction stems from a shooting that occurred at 7:50am on August 9, 2017 on Battle Place in Franklin Township.
Officials say at that time, defendant Tamar Reaves, aka “T-Mac,” followed his 18 year-old victim from a convenience store to her relative’s home, and shot her in the back of her neck with a 9mm handgun.
After committing the crime, Reaves initially fled to a friend’s home and ultimately went to his grandmother’s Franklin Township home according to officials.
Once there, officials say he ordered a pizza and made several posts to various social media accounts, including a photo of the pizza, as well as a video of himself singing the lyrics of a song which mirrored the circumstances of the shooting he just committed.
Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Det. Randy Sidorski and Franklin Township Police Sgt. Kevin Fitzharris were assisted in solving this crime by local business owners and residents whose video surveillance systems recorded portions of the crime and who provided that video surveillance evidence to police.
Lt. Mark Pappas and Det. Brandt Gregus of the New Brunswick Police Department recognized defendant Reaves as the individual depicted in the surveillance video, and assisted in locating and arresting him that day.
In addition, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) assisted by providing information gathered during an unrelated investigation of defendant Reaves which demonstrated that he possessed a 9mm handgun that was consistent with the handgun defendant used to commit the shooting.
Officials say on April 2, 2019, following extensive pretrial litigation, defendant Tamar Reaves pled guilty to 1st degree aggravated manslaughter, 2nd degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, and 2nd degree unlawful possession of a handgun pursuant to a plea agreement which called for him to be sentenced to 27 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a 23 year period of parole ineligibility.
According to officials, on May 16th Judge Shanahan sentenced defendant Reaves in accordance with the plea agreement.
Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor W. Brian Stack represented the State during these proceedings.