What to Know
- Officials have captured all of the suspects accused of ambushing and shooting two detectives in Camden, New Jersey.
- Ammar Hall, 26, and Alexander DeJesus, 19, were both captured in Philadelphia.
- Juan Figueroa, 20, was arrested over the weekend.
The defense attorney for one of three men charged in the ambush shooting of two Camden County police detectives last month had a message for the court during her client’s detention hearing Tuesday.
“What happened to these officers is horrible. Should never have happened,” Robin Lord said. “But he didn’t do it. They have the wrong guy.”
Lord’s client Juan Figueroa, 21, along with Ammar Hall, 26, and Alexander DeJesus, 19, are all charged with first-degree criminal attempted murder in connection to the shooting that occurred on Aug. 7 at Mt. Vernon Street and Broadway.
Police said two undercover Camden County officers were sitting at a red light when two men walked up and fired at least 10 rounds. One officer was hit in the hand and the other twice in the shoulder. The gunmen then fled the scene.
Both officers survived the shooting and continue to recover.
Dozens of police officers attended Figueroa’s detention hearing Wednesday. Figueroa was ordered to remain in jail without bail. Lord argued however that her client was innocent and claimed there was almost zero physical evidence to prove he was even there the night of the shooting.
“I don’t know how the warrant was even signed,” Lord said.
Prosecutors said however that Figueroa could be seen on numerous surveillance videos near and inside a white van connected to the crime.
“There is no amount of bail, nor any combination of bail in any other conditions that would both ensure that this defendant would show up, ensure that he would not obstruct and ensure the safety of the public,” Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Shilton said.
Figueroa does not have a history of violence. However, because police allegedly had to break down the door of a Gloucester City, New Jersey, hotel to arrest him last month, he’s considered a risk of flight. Camden County Superior Court Judge Edward McBride considered a number of factors in his decision to have him remain in jail without bail.
“Number one, potential for witness intimidation. Number two potential destruction of evidence,” Judge McBride said.
Figueroa could face life behind bars if convicted. His co-defendants DeJesus and Hall are awaiting extradition from Philadelphia.
