Ohio Man Convicted For 2015 Triple Shooting in Vineland, NJ, That Killed 2
A man from Ohio has been convicted in connection to a triple shooting in Vineland back in 2015 that killed two people.
On Wednesday, 28-year-old Michael R. Loftin, Jr., of Cincinnati, was convicted after a 12-day jury trial on a first-degree conspiracy to commit murder charge.
Loftin was acquitted of two counts of first-degree murder, second-degree aggravated assault, and related weapons charges.
It was just after midnight on March 8th, 2015, when Vineland police officers were called to the 100 block of West Grape Street for a report of several gunshots fired. Upon arrival, they found a vehicle with four people inside.
As a result of the gunshots, Damien Mills was killed at the scene; Kevin Peterson, who was shot four times, later died at a hospital; a third victim survived a gunshot wound to the leg, and a fourth victim was not injured.
Officers found a flip-phone in close proximity to shell casings and the victim’s vehicle. After examining the phone’s contents, certain phone numbers led them to a residence in the 200 block of E. Oak Rd., Vineland, wherein the Defendant was a resident. The flip-phone was swabbed for DNA and returned positive as a match to Defendant.
Lofton was charged on June 2nd, 2015.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 27th. He faces ten to 20 years in state prison.
Co-defendant Sheldon Goldsborough, who was also charged in this case, is currently pending trial.