Teen Arrested in Fatal Shooting of Jerome Chandler in Burlington City

A 16-year-old from Trenton is in custody following the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jerome “Rome” Chandler in Burlington City on Monday night. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the arrest on Wednesday.

The suspect, whose identity remains protected due to his status as a minor, was apprehended in Mercer County. He is currently being held at the Middlesex County Detention Center in North Brunswick, according to Joel Bewley, spokesperson for Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw.

The violence erupted just before 7 p.m. on Monday, when prosecutors allege the teenager opened fire on the 100 block of Federal Street. Chandler, a Burlington native remembered by friends for his whip-smart sense of humor and willingness to help the kids in his neighborhood, collapsed at the scene. He was transported to Virtua Willingboro Hospital, where he died approximately two hours later, Bewley said.

Two other teenagers were also struck during the gunfire. They are currently recovering at Cooper Norcross University Hospital in Camden, with medical staff expecting them to survive their injuries.

The motive behind the shooting remains under investigation. Just two days before the arrest, residents gathered at a vigil near the site of the shooting to mourn Chandler’s death.

The suspect faces a serious list of charges. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, these include first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree possession of a firearm by a minor. Additional charges remain pending as the investigation continues.

A detention hearing for the suspect is scheduled for next week. This hearing will not be open to the public, Bewley noted.