Teen murder victim chosen at random, authorities say

CAMDEN - A 19-year-old who went out for cigarettes paid with his life when he encountered four teens on a shooting and robbing spree in Camden, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

Terron Phillips was killed by a shotgun blast in an unprovoked attack in the Cramer Hill neighborhood around 1:30 a..m. May 18, Assistant Prosecutor Christine Shah said.

MORE: Bullets fly as kids play

Three other holdup victims survived similar shootings by the same suspects over the previous two hours, she said.

“We are here because four teenagers armed themselves with a sawed-off shotgun and drove around the city of Camden terrorizing people,” Shah said.

“It is shocking that they killed only one of their victims.”

Authorities allege a 16-year-old Merchantville boy fatally shot Phillips on the 3500 block of Pierce Avenue. He was charged Monday in juvenile court.

RELATED: Homicide toll reaches 21 for year

Three adults – Aaron Swann, 19, of Pennsauken and 18-year-olds Ashan Thomas of Pennsauken and Raquan Handon of Camden – also are charged with Phillips’ murder and other offenses.

According to the prosecutor, Swann, Thomas and the 16-year-old took turns wielding – and firing – a sawed-off shotgun during a two-hour crime spree. Swann and Handon have admitted their roles, and investigators have recovered the murder weapon, Shah said at arraignments for the adult suspects.

The fatal encounter occurred after the teens, driving an SUV owned by Swann’s mother, stopped at a United Gas station on River Road near 36th Street, where Handon bought a beverage, according to Shah.

Phillips bought cigarettes at the gas station about the same time, then started walking home to his grandmother’s house.

Shah said the suspects pulled up alongside Phillips, and that Handon and the 16-year-old left the SUV to confront him.

MORE: After Obama's praise, Camden crime worsens

“What you got?” and “Give me what you got," the two suspects allegedly demanded of Phillips.

Voices from inside the van called out “Do it” and “Get him,” added Shah.

She said Handon went through Phillips’ pockets, took his cigarettes and returned to the van. The 16-year-old shot the victim in the lower chest before the suspects sped away.

“There is no crime more serious than murder and this one is particularly outrageous,” said Shah, who at times appeared to fight back tears. “They took what he had. He did not put up a fight. He did not struggle.”

The shooting spree began around 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, when the teenagers noticed a man and woman sitting in a car on the 1400 block of South 8th Street.

She said Swann tapped on a window with the shotgun, then fired as the would-be victims sped away. The vehicle’s occupants were sprayed with shattered glass but were not hit by the shotgun blast.

"It is a miracle that no one was killed (in the car)," Shah said.

She said Thomas fired the shotgun during an incident around 12:15 a.m. on the 3100 block of Berkley Street. That victim also escaped injury.

"He was able to run for his life," Shah said.

About 25 members of Phillips' family attended the hearing, some wearing buttons in memory of their loved one. The family members, who wept during the proceedings, declined to talk to reporters.

Swann and Thomas also burst into tears after Superior Court Judge Edward McBride set bail of $2 million each and noted the likelihood of minimum 60-year jail terms for felony murder, armed robbery and other offenses. Their sobs continued long after each teen had left the courtroom.

Handon grimaced throughout his hearing and sagged when McBride announced his $2 million bail.

Shah said Handon, who is not accused of firing the shotgun, appeared in a surveillance photo taken at the Cramer Hill gas station. Authorities publicized that photo, prompting tips that led investigators to the suspects.

Handon and Thomas stood alone during their hearings, but Swann was accompanied by defense attorney Matthew Portella of Haddon Heights.

Portella said his client’s actions were a mystery, saying Swann came from “a great family” with “an incredibly stable background.” Sheriff’s officers pushed Swann from the room after he tried to turn toward his family members in the gallery at the end of his hearing.

Portella said Swann, who had no prior arrests, was a football and wrestling standout at Pennsauken High School and worked until his arrest as a restaurant host.

“It leaves you scratching your head, why such a great kid with integrity got into this situation,” the attorney said.

Jim Walsh; (856) 486-2646; jwalsh@gannettnj.com