UPDATE (3/1): Defendant Jason Lewis turned himself in to authorities at the Somerset County Jail on February 10. Jaki Hooks-Lewis turned himself into authorities yesterday while at his attorney’s office located in Newark on February 28.
FRANKLIN, NJ–Local law enforcement is seeking the public’s help in located a father and son duo who they say were behind a January 3 shooting on Dewald Avenue and “should be considered armed and dangerous.”
Jaki N. Hooks-Lewis, age 20, lives on of Dewald Avenue and police believe that he was the shooter.
He faces a second-degree aggravated assault charge. His father Jason Lewis, age 43, was also charged with 3rd-degree hindering apprehension.
Both men were identified publically in a press release two days after the shooting, cautioning “the public from approaching either defendant.”
“The investigation has revealed that defendant Jason Lewis assisted his son in fleeing from the area following the shooting,” read the statement. “Detectives are searching for both defendants, and are urging them to surrender to law enforcement authorities.”
On the first Tuesday of the new year, at approximately 7:44 pm, “multiple 9-1- 1 calls were received by the Franklin Township Police Department” according to a statement from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office (SCPO).
“Responding officers located a 31 year old male outside a Dewald Avenue residence, suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound to his leg,” read the press release.
“Officers provided medical aid to the victim, who was then transported to a local trauma center for emergency treatment.”
“The investigation thus far has revealed that this was an isolated incident and the victim was the intended target.”
On January 12, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced that “Somerset County Crime Stoppers, Inc.” had increased their reward to “up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests” of the duo.
“Tipsters” can call the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477, or submit tips online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net, by clicking “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
