Fugitive Wanted in Connection to 2022 Murder Arrested in Atlantic City, NJ

A man from Cape May County has been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting in Atlantic City last summer.

On Friday, 36-year-old Phillip Hayes of Woodbine was taken into custody in Atlantic City for the August 28th, 2022, homicide of 26-year-old Malika McLaughlin in the World's Play Ground.

Hayes had been a fugitive since a warrant for his arrest was issued on October 5th.

Hayes and his four codefendants, Lester Robinson, Quamel Shaffer, Monica Gonzalez, and Quataisa Harrington were indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury in December.

Hayes and Robinson were indicted on counts of first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun without a permit, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree hindering apprehension, and second-degree certain persons not to have weapons.

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Shaffer was also indicted on first-degree murder, first-degree conspiracy to commit murder, and various weapon-related charges.

Gonzalez and Harrington were indicted on third-degree hindering apprehension.

The public is reminded that charges are accusations and all persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.