Bridgeton Man Arrested In Mass Shooting, Victims Identified

May 24, 2021

FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP, NJ (CUMBERLAND)–The New Jersey State Police have arrested Kevin Dawkins, 36, of Bridgeton, N.J. in connection to the mass shooting in Fairfield Township, Cumberland County on May 23. He was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a large-capacity magazine, certain persons not to have weapons, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. He is currently lodged at the Cumberland County jail pending a bail detention hearing.

Asia Hester, 25, and Kevin L. Elliott, 30, both of Bridgeton, have been identified as the two victims that were killed in the shooting.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Bridgeton Station at 856-451-0101 or submit a tip via the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office tipline at www.njccpo.org/tips. Anonymous tips are welcome.


2C:39-3JPROHIBITED WEAPONS AND DEVICES – LARGE CAPACITY AMMOPEND CJP COURTW2021-610-060105/23/2021
2C:39-4A(1)POSS OF WEAPON FOR UNLAWFUL PURPOSE-FIREARM-ANYONEPEND CJP COURTW2021-610-060105/23/2021
2C:39-5B(1)UNLAWFUL POSS WEAPON-HANDGUNS WITHOUT PERMITPEND CJP COURTW2021-610-060105/23/2021
2C:39-7ACERTAIN PERSONS NOT TO HAVE WEAP-CONVICTED CRIMEPEND CJP COURTW2021-610-060105/23/2021

Governor Phil Murphy said at a press conference today on the mass shooting, “Our hearts are shattered by the mass shooting that occurred in Fairfield Township on Saturday night. We will not normalize this senseless gun violence. We will continue to lead the nation in gun safety and be a model for others.