Pemberton teen, 18, charged with killing friend
PEMBERTON >> An 18-yearold township resident was charged Friday for killing his friend in a detached garage.
Nelven Salas, of the 100 block of Rugby Street in the Brown Mills section of Pemberton, allegedly shot the acquaintance, Davon Coleman, 18, in the chest just before 1 a.m. Thursday, the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced Friday in a press release. Both were wrestling teammates at Pemberton.
Initially, the shooting was reported to police as an assault on Coleman, Salas, and a third individual, whose residence they were all hanging out at on the 300 block of Bayberry Street, prosecutors said. Police were told that three masked intruders allegedly fled the scene after shooting Coleman.
But police found a handgun — believed to be the murder weapon and belonging to Salas — that was hidden in the garage, authorities outlined.
Shortly after being shot, Coleman died at Deborah Hospital in Pemberton.
Salas had his first appearance Thursday afternoon in Burlington County Superior County. His bail was set at $2500,000.
Salas is charged with one count of aggravated manslaughter, possession of a handgun without a permit and hindering apprehension.
Prosecutors attribute the arrest to the Pemberton Township Police Department and detectives from the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, Crime Scene Unit and High-Tech Crimes Unit.