Herbert R. Lee Jr., known as Tommy, was 36 and a father of six when he was killed after an early-morning dispute at the Maple Gardens apartment complex parking lot in Bridgeton, New Jersey. The altercation began about 3 a.m. on July 30, 2022; surveillance footage reportedly shows several people involved and two men, later identified as 29-year-old Ryan A. Askins and 29-year-old Desmond L. Bethel, firing handguns into the air. Lee is said to have stepped in to intervene and became involved in a physical struggle with Bethel.

Authorities say Askins tackled Lee and shot him in the chest. Lee was taken to Inspira Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arrival. A 22-year-old man, Kvaughn Walker, was arrested at the scene for handgun possession but was later said not to have been involved in the shooting. Warrants were issued charging Askins with murder and weapons offenses and Bethel with weapons offenses; both were described as armed and dangerous. Bethel was arrested later; Askins remained a fugitive for months before being captured in Georgia on January 21, 2023, and extradited to New Jersey.

Does anyone have information about the moments leading up to the fight or who else was present that night?