PITTSGROVE, NJ — Three men involved in a shooting that wounded a police detective in South Jersey have been sentenced to prison, officials said Wednesday.
Najzeir “Naz” Hutchings was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Jan. 24. One month earlier, Kareen “Kai” Warner received seven years behind bars. Both pleaded guilty last May and testified in the trial of Tremaine Hadden — the third man — as a result of the plea agreement.
Tremaine Hadden was sentenced to 37 years in prison in September, following a trial that led to his conviction months prior, Patch previously reported.
Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The convictions stem from an April 2020 attack on a State Police officer at a mobile-home park in Pittsgrove, Salem County. Det. Richard Hershey was investigating a home invasion and robbery when a group of 15 people pulled up in five vehicles.
Members of the caravan intended to attack and injure a resident of the Harding Woods residential park and damage her home, authorities said. Some of the suspects exited their vehicles and confronted Hershey, according to the state Office of the Attorney General (OAG).
Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Some of the suspects exited their vehicles and confronted Hershey, who identified himself as an officer and gave commands. Hutchings, Warner and Hadden began firing at him.
Hadden shot Hershey in the hip. A ballistics expert later demonstrated that the trio fired more than a dozen shots at the detective, with several bullets striking occupied homes.
Hershey was seriously wounded but has since recovered and returned to duty. He earned him the 2020 Trooper of the Year award from State Police for his actions during the confrontation, the OAG said.
Click Here: custom-stamp-die-moulding
Hadden, 30, was convicted May 30 of aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, riot, and weapons offenses.
Hutchings, 25, was sentenced Dec. 12 to eight years in prison for aggravated assault and a consecutive five-year term for unlawful possession of a weapon.
Warner, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.