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Man charged with murder in 2021 multiple shooting at house party in Cumberland County

Three people were killed and 11 were wounded in the mass shooting on May 22, 2021, in Fairfield Township.

Members of the N.J. State Police F.A.S.T. Team at the scene of a mass shooting in Fairfield Twp., Cumberland County on May 23, 2021. Three people were killed and 11 were wounded.
Members of the N.J. State Police F.A.S.T. Team at the scene of a mass shooting in Fairfield Twp., Cumberland County on May 23, 2021. Three people were killed and 11 were wounded.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

A 30-year-old man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with a 2021 multiple shooting at a house party in Cumberland County that left three dead and 11 wounded, prosecutors said Monday.

On May 22, 2021, multiple gunmen opened fire on more than 100 people at a house party in the 1000 block of East Commerce Street in Fairfield Township. Kevin Elliott, 30, Asia Hester, 25, and Brailyn Holmes, 19, were killed.

Arthur Armstead, of Fairfield Township, was previously charged with obstruction and hindering apprehension. Armstead allegedly fled to Delaware after the shooting, and then hid in an Atlantic City casino hotel. He subsequently surrendered to the New Jersey State Police.

Armstead is now charged with killing Elliott and Holmes, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said in a statement. Armstead also is charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, three counts of first-degree attempted murder, and related offenses.

A few months after the multiple shooting, Zedekiah Holmes, 21, was charged with murder in the deaths of Elliott and Hester. At least two other men were charged with lesser offenses in connection with the shooting.

Webb-McRae said the investigation is continuing.