Chelmar Townsend, 14, was shot and killed in Millville, New Jersey, on the evening of July 10, 2023. The shooting occurred at about 10:20 p.m. in Waltman Park on City Park Drive after an argument between Townsend’s friends and another group of youths. Someone produced a gun during the confrontation; Townsend turned and ran and was struck in the back. He was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.

Townsend, known as Mar Mar, had recently graduated from Lakeside Middle School and was days away from a high school physical needed to play football. His family remembers him as a homebody who loved video games and football. The killing was the fourth fatal shooting of a teenager in Cumberland County that month. The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and Millville Police continue an open homicide investigation; no arrests have been announced. A GoFundMe was set up for funeral costs and a candlelight vigil was held at the middle school.

Anyone who knew Chelmar or who has information about the shooting is asked to contact the investigators.