On the evening of March 27, 2023, responding police and firefighters went to a motel on Route 130 in Gloucester City, New Jersey after a fire alarm around 6:30 p.m. They found the bodies of 52-year-old Steven Smith of Atco, New Jersey, and 56-year-old Tabitha Price of Gulf Shores, Alabama. Both had sustained fatal gunshot wounds in what authorities described as a double homicide.

Investigators also determined a fire had been intentionally set in a separate room of the motel. Authorities identified 53-year-old Vaughn Perkins of Philadelphia as responsible for the arson, named him a person of interest in the double homicide, and charged him with aggravated arson. Perkins was later involved in a March 30, 2023 shooting in Philadelphia in which two people were wounded; surveillance footage helped track his vehicle. Pennsylvania State Police located his SUV in Berks County, a short pursuit ended when his vehicle became disabled, and Perkins engaged officers armed with a rifle before being shot and killed by police.

No motive or public connection between Perkins and the victims has been disclosed; the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and Gloucester City Police Department continue investigating. If anyone knew Steven Smith or has information about his presence at the motel, please share what is known.