On the night of November 7, 2021, gunfire was reported near Seaman Street and Remsen Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey. At about 9:55 p.m. two men were found with multiple gunshot wounds and taken to a nearby hospital; 39-year-old Rafael Florez-Lopez later died of his injuries while the other victim survived.

Investigators from the New Brunswick Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office identified two men in connection with the shooting. Authorities say 34-year-old Jajuan Hill-Staten of Stock Bridge, Georgia, was the alleged shooter and that 28-year-old Quron Hoagland of North Brunswick drove Hill-Staten to and from the scene. Hoagland was arrested on November 12, 2021, and charged with conspiracy to commit murder, murder and attempted murder; Hill-Staten was arrested in Florida on November 29, 2021, on murder, attempted murder and a weapons charge and was awaiting extradition.

Officials have said the killing does not appear random. If anyone knew Rafael or has information about the shooting, please come forward.