Jogger Shot While Running, Alleged Shooter Charged

SWAINTON – A morning run took an ugly turn on Swainton-Goshen Road July 28 when the male runner was shot and sustained a pellet wound to the upper arm. He was listed in stable condition after being treated at Cape Regional Medical Center.
According to Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor and Middle Township Police Chief Christopher Leusner, Jamar Lovett, 19, a Middle Township resident was arrested in connection with the shooting.
The incident occurred in the unit block of Swainton-Goshen Road, not far off Route 9.
Middle Township Police responded to a shooting report. When officers arrived they found the victim, who told them he was jogging on that unit block, when he was struck in the upper left arm from what he believed was a pellet projectile.
An investigation of the area about 11:20 a.m. by Middle Township Police Department detectives and the Major Crimes Unit of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office led to the execution of a search and seizure warrant at the residence where the jogger believed the shot was fired.
The search by police discovered a pellet gun capable of firing projectiles that matched the projectile extracted from the victim’s arm, pellet gun projectiles matching the one extracted from the victim, shotgun ammunition and controlled dangerous substance, specifically heroin, according to the release.
Also found during the search was a sawed-off shotgun and ammunition for it in a wooded area directly behind the same house.
After the search and several interviews were conducted by investigators, Lovett, who resides at the house on Swainton-Goshen Road, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, a third-degree crime, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, a second-degree crime, unlawful possession of a weapon, a third-degree crime, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, heroin, a third-degree crime, possession with intent to distribute heroin, a third-degree crime, possession of a prohibited weapon, a third-degree crime, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a CDS offense, a second-degree crime.
Taylor advised that a person convicted of a second-degree crime is subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in state prison. Persons convicted of a third-degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment from three to five years in state prison.
As a result of the charges, Lovett was lodged in Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $90,000 full cash bail set by Municipal Court Judge George Neidig.
Taylor and Leusner commended the efforts of all agencies involved which resulted in the successful conclusion of the investigation.
The prosecutor continues to urge citizens to report any information regarding illegal activity and or criminal activity within the community and that the information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriff’s tip line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609 465-2800 or 877-465-2801, as well as Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, 465-1168.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.