Authorities in New Jersey say a man has been arrested on suspicion of killing a 68-year-old woman and her 9-year-old grandson before leading police on a chase this week.
According to NJ.com, 23-year-old Terrence J. Matthews is accused of entering a home in Willingboro on Wednesday evening and fatally stabbing the victims, identified as Jennifer Vassell and Ishon Mathiln Jr.. Police reports indicate the suspect also lived at the location.
After he left the following day, police allege the suspect traveled to a Wawa convenience store in Westampton Township with his ex-girlfriend, whom he’d held captive throughout the night.
A statement by Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina and Willingboro Public Safety Director Kinamo Lomon indicate Matthews is expected to face criminal charges including two counts of murder in the first degree and one count of kidnapping in the first degree, in addition to related weapons-related charges.
They said the 22-year-old woman with Matthews, identified as Krissida Williams, “told a Wawa employee that Matthews had killed her family,” prompting authorities to respond to the residence. Upon their arrival, officers reportedly discovered the bodies of Vassell and Mathiln.
Meanwhile, Matthews reportedly fled the convenience store, leading police on a high-speed chase that ended when he crashed into a pole. Throughout the ride, police say he shared footage on his Facebook profile, as reported by the New York Post.
After he was transported to an area hospital for treatment of related injuries, he was booked into Burlington County Jail pending a court appearance set for Friday.
Initial reports indicate the suspect might have been motivated by an argument the suspect and his ex had over the phone on Wednesday. Subsequent updates identified the deceased victims as his ex-girlfriend’s grandmother and brother.
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