2d killing in two days in Camden

CAMDEN A second person has been killed in Camden this week.

Charles Barnes Jr., 31, was found dead around 9:17 a.m. on Monday by a citizen in a grassy area near 33d Street and Farragut Avenue, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and Camden County Police said Tuesday.

Barnes, who had been living with a relative in Willingboro, died from a gunshot wound, authorities said.

Early Sunday, Marine Reservist Timothy Loper Jr., 27, was gunned down while trying to break up a fight in the parking lot of the 20 Horse Tavern at Second and Spruce Street in East Camden. Loper, of Pine Hill, died from a gunshot wound to his back that pierced his heart.

The deaths bring the city's homicide toll to 51. This time last year, the city had recorded 62 homicides in an unusually violent year that ended with 67 deaths, a record.

Authorities are asking anyone with information on Barnes' killing to call Anthony Roccia, an investigator with the prosecutor's office, at 856-974-3186 or Camden County Police Det. Rick Kunkel at 856-757-7420.

Those with information on Loper's death are urged to contact Det. John Hunsinger, an investigator with the prosecutor's office, at 609-548-1056, or Det. Lou Sánchez with the Camden County Police at 856-757-7420.
- Darran Simon