Four Guilty in Connection with 2020 Shooting of NJ State Police Detective

Four Defendants Plead Guilty in Connection with 2020 Shooting of NJ State Police Detective in Pittsgrove

PITTSGROVE, NJ — Four defendants have pleaded guilty in connection with the events surrounding the 2020 shooting of New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Detective Richard Hershey at a mobile home park in Salem County, according to an announcement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).

Guilty Pleas and Sentencing Recommendations

On February 14 and 21, 2025, four individuals admitted to their roles in the incident during pretrial conferences before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Russell A. DePersia in Salem County Courthouse:

• Markese Rogers, 30, of Pittsgrove – Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault (3rd degree)
  • Recommended sentence: Five years in state prison
• Noel Lazu, 25, of Bridgeton – Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault (3rd degree)
  • Recommended sentence: Three years in state prison
• Ashley Acevedo Diaz, 27, of Bridgeton – Pleaded guilty to riot (3rd degree)
  • Recommended sentence: Time served (nine months in jail), conditioned on probation
• Shakeem Waters, 36, of Bridgeton – Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault (3rd degree)
  • Recommended sentence: Time served (10 months in jail), conditioned on probation

“The plot by several of these defendants to commit violence led to a member of the New Jersey State Police nearly being killed,” said Attorney General Platkin. “Detective Hershey’s courage under fire was extraordinary. I’m grateful for his recovery and continued service, and for the work of the investigators and prosecutors who ensured that the defendants involved in this incident were brought to justice.”

According to court records, Rogers, Waters, and Lazu admitted they were part of a group that traveled to Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove on April 25, 2020, knowing that Acevedo-Diaz had a deadly weapon and intended to use it in an attack. Acevedo-Diaz acknowledged that during the group's disorderly conduct, there was a plan to use a deadly weapon.

Background on the 2020 Shooting

The case stems from an incident that occurred on the night of April 25, 2020, when Detective Hershey was conducting witness interviews at Harding Woods following a violent home invasion. Earlier that day, five suspects had forced entry into a home, assaulted a female victim, and stolen her phone before fleeing.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., a group of 15 individuals arrived in five vehicles, allegedly intending to attack a relative of the home invasion victim. The group was armed with handguns, a knife, and a bottle and was led by Noel Lazu, who coordinated their movements from Bridgeton to Pittsgrove.

Surveillance footage showed Acevedo-Diaz acknowledging possession of a knife before traveling to the scene. Waters drove one of the vehicles, with Acevedo-Diaz as a passenger. Once there, Rogers and others confronted Detective Hershey, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer and attempted to de-escalate the situation.

Despite the detective's commands, members of the group continued to advance toward him. In response, Hershey drew his service weapon—but before he could act further, three individuals in the group opened fire:

• Tremaine Hadden, 32, of Bridgeton – Fired multiple rounds at Detective Hershey
• Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings, 26, of Bridgeton – Fired from a second vehicle
• Kareen “Kai” Warner, 23, of Bridgeton – Also fired from a second vehicle

More than a dozen shots were fired, with 11 rounds coming from Hadden alone. Detective Hershey was shot in the hip and seriously wounded, and multiple bullets also struck nearby occupied homes. Despite his injuries, Hershey returned fire as the suspects fled.

He was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for treatment and has since recovered and returned to duty.

Previous Convictions in the Case

The primary shooters have already been sentenced:

• Hadden was convicted at trial on May 30, 2023, and sentenced to 37 years in state prison.
• Hutchings pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in May 2023 and received a 13-year sentence.
  • (Eight years for aggravated assault, five years for unlawful possession of a weapon)
• Warner pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in May 2023 and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

Investigation and Prosecution

The case was prosecuted by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, including Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab and Deputy Attorneys General Nicole Wise, Jennifer Davis, and Abigail R. Holmes. They were supported by Trial Assistants Nathalie Kurzawa and Maureen Hitchens, and DCJ Media Specialist Erika Neary.

The investigation was conducted by the NJSP Major Crime Unit South, along with Troop A Criminal Investigation Office, Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Cold Case Unit. Additional support was provided by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the Division of Criminal Justice. Arrests were made by the New Jersey State Police Fugitive and TEAMS Units, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

The defendants who pleaded guilty on February 14 and 21 are awaiting formal sentencing.