Two more slayings in Camden mark 16th and 17th murders of 2013

Two more murders in Camden, N.J., late Wednesday into Thursday morning pushed the 2013 total to 17, exactly the same number of slayings in 2012 through May 9.

In 2012, 67 people were murdered, marking the deadliest year on record for one of America's most violent cities.

The 17th murder victim of 2013 is James Ball, 33, of Haddon Heights, who was shot at about 1:15 a.m. this morning, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office said.

Ball was found in the 1100 block of Sheridan Street already dead from a bullet wound to the head.

The 16th murder victim was found at about 10 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Erie Street. Faird George, 24, a city resident, died shortly after he was taken to Cooper Medical Center from his multiple bullet wounds.

In a nonfatal shooting at about midnight last night, a 17-year-old city resident was found shot once at Ninth and Florence streets.

Anyone with information on George's murder should call Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Pete Longo at (856) 225-8500 or Camden County Police Detective Shawn Donlon at (856) 757-7420.

Anyone with information on Ball's murder should call Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator Mike Dougherty at (856) 225-8682 or Camden County Police Detective Robert Chew at (856) 757-7420.