In the early morning hours of June 16, 2007, a dispute on the 300 block of Chestnut Street in Camden, New Jersey, turned deadly. Twenty-eight-year-old Mariano Vega Jr. was shot during an argument involving him and his younger brother, Eduardo, and another individual. Mariano was struck and died at the scene; Eduardo was wounded but drove himself to Cooper University Hospital for treatment.

The shooter fled on foot and investigators identified a rival of Mariano’s as the primary suspect. That person was charged with murder and the case proceeded through numerous court appearances as prosecutors presented evidence tied to the dispute that precipitated the shooting. Vega’s family also pursued civil litigation related to his death.

Does anyone have additional information about Mariano’s life in Camden or recall the events on Chestnut Street that morning?