Four Sentenced for Roles in 2020 Shooting of State Police Detective

Defendants face prison terms and probation for conspiracy and riot charges linked to armed confrontation that left NJSP Detective wounded

Four individuals have been sentenced in connection with the April 2020 shooting of New Jersey State Police Detective Richard Hershey, who was wounded during an investigation at the Harding Woods mobile home park in Pittsgrove, Salem County. The sentences, announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), were handed down by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Russell A. DePersia on April 1, 2025.

The defendants sentenced are:

Markese Rogers, 30, of Pittsgrove: Five years in state prison
Noel Lazu, 25, of Bridgeton: Three years in state prison
Imari Lazu, 27, of Bridgeton: Three years in state prison
Ashley Acevedo Diaz, 27, of Bridgeton: Two years of probation, including nine months in county jail

A fifth defendant, Shakeem Waters, 36, also of Bridgeton, is scheduled for sentencing on April 11, 2025.

“Troopers with the New Jersey State Police play a crucial role in maintaining public safety across New Jersey, and we will not allow the public servants who do this essential work to be targeted, attacked, or harmed by criminals,” said Attorney General Platkin. “These defendants took part in serious criminal conduct that resulted in a heroic State Police Detective being shot by other members of the group. Plotting violence against anyone will not be tolerated and will be met with serious consequences.”

The charges stem from a violent incident that began with a home invasion and assault on a female victim at Harding Woods on April 25, 2020. Several hours after the attack, Detective Hershey was at the scene conducting witness interviews when a caravan of approximately 15 people arrived, intending to confront a relative of the assault victim.

According to court documents and testimony, the group was armed with handguns, a knife, and a bottle, and had coordinated their actions beforehand. Noel Lazu allegedly organized the group’s gathering in Bridgeton, while Waters transported Acevedo Diaz and others to the mobile home park. Rogers and others approached Detective Hershey, who had identified himself as a law enforcement officer, and issued commands to defuse the situation. The group ignored his commands and continued advancing.

As tensions escalated, Tremaine Hadden, 32, Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings, 26, and Kareen “Kai” Warner, 23—armed members of the group—opened fire on the detective. According to ballistics analysis, more than a dozen shots were fired, including 11 by Hadden alone. Detective Hershey was struck in the hip and seriously wounded but managed to return fire with his service weapon. Several bullets also struck nearby occupied residences.

Detective Hershey was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden for treatment and has since recovered and resumed duty.

The defendants sentenced this month had previously entered guilty pleas to charges related to the incident:

Rogers, Waters, and Noel Lazu admitted to conspiracy to commit aggravated assault (3rd degree)
Acevedo Diaz pleaded guilty to riot (3rd degree)
Imari Lazu pleaded guilty to witness tampering (2nd degree)

In prior proceedings:

Hadden was convicted at trial and sentenced to 37 years in prison in May 2023
Hutchings was sentenced to 13 years — eight for aggravated assault and five for unlawful possession of a weapon
Warner received a seven-year sentence for aggravated assault

The investigation was conducted by multiple units of the New Jersey State Police in coordination with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability and the Division of Criminal Justice. Arrests were carried out with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Erik Daab and Deputy Attorneys General Nicole Wise, Jennifer Davis, and Abigail R. Holmes, with support from trial and media staff.