Inmate Beaten To Death At Camden Co. Jail: Prosecutor

CAMDEN, NJ — A man beat a fellow inmate to death last week at the Camden County Correctional Facility, authorities said.

The victim, Edward D. Brooks, was found unresponsive on his bunk just before 8 a.m. June 13, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office.

Brooks, 42, of Newark, Delaware, was pronounced dead at Cooper University Hospital about an hour later.

Detectives reviewed surveillance footage showing fellow inmate Shaquan Shields repeatedly punched Brooks, authorities said. Investigators determined that the assault happened around 1 p.m. June 12 — almost a full day before Brooks was found unconscious.

Shields, 29, was charged Tuesday with second-degree manslaughter. He will continue to be held at the jail, with his first court appearance for the manslaughter charge scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday.

Online court records didn't list an attorney for Shields in the case on Friday.

Shields, of Camden, has been jailed since Dec. 24, when he was charged with terroristic threats and drug possession, according to court records. He was indicted in February and has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Investigation into the alleged manslaughter remains active. Anyone with information can contact Det. Luis Sibaja, Jr. of the Camden County Prosecutor's Office at 856-225-8682. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.