Arrest Made In Fatal Burlington County Double Shooting: Police

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — A Burlington County man has been arrested in connection with a double shooting that killed a 17-year-old boy and injured a 17-year-old girl last week, Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Pemberton Township Police Chief David King announced.

Kai Johnson, of Pemberton, was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, first-degree aggravated assault, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Authorities said Johnson was arguing with 17-year-old Malachi Treherne inside a home on the 100 block of Snow Avenue in Pemberton on Oct. 18. Johnson pulled out a gun and shot Treherne and a 17-year-old girl, according to authorities.

Police who responded to the shooting just after 11:30 p.m. found Treherne lying in the doorway, according to authorities. He was pronounced deceased on the scene. An autopsy determined that Treherne died as a result of two gunshot wounds to his head, according to authorities.

Police also found a 17-year-old girl who had been shot in the chest. She was taken to Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, and has since been released, police said.

Other people present in the home at the time of the shooting, including a two-year-old boy, were not injured in the incident, according to authorities.

Johnson surrendered at the Pemberton Township Police Department late Friday afternoon, authorities said. He is lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly, according to authorities.

Johnson had a first appearance Saturday afternoon in Superior Court, and is awaiting a hearing on the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion to detain him. The case will be presented to a grand jury for possible indictment. Read more here: Two NJ Teens Shot, One Killed In Targeted Attack: Police