Pennsauken man indicted for January shooting death in Burlington City

The prime suspect in a January shooting death on a Burlington City street appears headed for a trial for murder.

Irie Y. Simmons (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)

The indictment against Irie Y. Simmons of Pennsauken, in addition to the first-degree charge for the murder of Eric Thomas II, 30, of Eastampton, includes two second-degree weapons-possession counts, according to the office of Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina.

A co-defendant, Xaver L. Myers of Cinnaminson, was indicted on a thrid-degree charge of aggravated assault. Myers was 19 at the time of his arrest.

Xavier L. Myers (Burlington Co. Dept. of Corrections)

Thomas was pronounced dead at Lourdes Medical Center in Willingboro at 11:29 PM on January 21, 2017, about 50 minutes after investigators believe the incident erupted.

Authorities allege that Simmons and Myers intercepted Thomas at about 10:40 PM, near the corner of East Broad and Library Streets. They believe that Simmons opened fire, and raced off with Myers.

They were accosted in the vicinity and charged within a matter of hours. Simmons was ordered detained, and Myers was released. Police said that they recovered the gun used for the shooting.

Police from Burlington City, Burlington Township and the Burlington County Bridge Commission responded to the incident.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.