2d killing in two days in Camden

Authorities on Tuesday released the name of a fugitive charged in the killing of a Marine veteran on Sunday, and also announced a second shooting death in two days in the city.

Darrell Crone, 31, of the 1200 block of Park Boulevard in Camden, allegedly brandished a firearm before firing it during an altercation outside the 20 Horse Tavern about 2:45 a.m., the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and Camden County Police said.

Timothy Loper Jr., 27, a Marine reservist, was shot in the back as he tried to break up the fight at Second and Spruce Streets, south of Lanning Square, authorities said. Loper knew someone involved in the altercation, but was not a participant in the fight, authorities said.

On Monday, authorities released surveillance video showing Crone, a bearded and muscular man. Crone, who was charged Monday night, is considered armed and dangerous, authorities said.

Loper, a Pine Hill resident, attended Highland High School and worked as a supervisor at a McDonald's and later at UPS before he went into the Marines, where he served four years, his father said Monday.

He had recently returned to South Jersey, where he was attending Rowan University part time at its Camden campus. Loper had also landed a job at Keystone Industries in Cherry Hill, a chemical company that manufactures fingernail polish and other items, his father said.

Monday morning at 9:17, Charles Barnes Jr., 31, was found dead in a grassy area near 33d Street and Farragut Avenue in East Camden.

Barnes, who had been living with a relative in Willingboro, died from a gunshot wound, authorities said.

The two deaths bring the city's homicide toll to 51. This time last year, the city had recorded 62 homicides in an unusually violent year that ended with 67, a record.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on Barnes' killing to call Anthony Roccia, an investigator with the Prosecutor's Office, at 856-974-3186 or Camden County Police Detective Rick Kunkel at 856-757-7420.

Those with information on Loper's death are asked to contact Detective John Hunsinger, an investigator with the Prosecutor's Office, at 609-548-1056, or Detective Lou Sanchez with the Camden County Police at 856-757-7420.