A southern New Jersey police officer has been charged with murder after his wounded friend died early Friday morning.

Twenty-nine-year-old James Stuart was arrested Friday.

He had initially been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly shooting his friend, David Compton, once in the head in Stuart's Deptford apartment on Jan. 5.

Earlier this week, Stuart's lawyer, John Eastlack, called the shooting a "terrible accident" and said Stuart was praying for Compton's recovery.

Stuart has been suspended from the Deptford Police Department. Authorities have not said whether his service weapon was used in the shooting.

More From WPG Talk Radio 95.5 FM