NJ man wanted in fatal shooting that also injured 5-year-old girl

BURLINGTON CITY — Police are searching for a man wanted in connection with a shooting that left a Burlington City man dead and caused a 5-year-old girl to become injured as she retreated from gunfire Saturday.

Investigators have identified the shooter as Samuel James, 26, of Burlington Township. According to a statement from the Burlington City Police Department Sunday, James remains a fugitive and is wanted on murder and weapons charges.

Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi and Burlington City Police Chief Alan R. Snow said 24-year-old Byron Turner was shot and killed Saturday outside his home on East Federal Street. Authorities say the shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. When police arrived, officers found Turner with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to Cooper University Hospital in Camden, where he was pronounced dead at about 10 p.m., police Capt. John Fine said in a statement.

An autopsy will soon be performed by Burlington County Medical Examiner Dr. Ian Hood, authorities announced.

According to police, a 5-year-old girl who was in the area when the shooting occurred was injured while trying to escape when the gunfire began. Authorities say she was not shot, but was treated for an undisclosed injury at Lourdes Medical Center of Burlington County in Willingboro. The child and her relation to the victim have not been identified.

The shooter is still at large and police say his last known address is Route 130 North in Burlington Township. James is described as a black male, approximately 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds. Police are asking for the public's help in locating him. Authorities say he has also been known to stay in Burlington City and Camden.

The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information on James or his location is asked to call the Burlington City Police Department at 609-386-0262. Information can also be sent via Facebook message to the City of Burlington Police Department Facebook page, or call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-267-8300.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.