Crime
Missing 48-year-old Harold Miller Jr Murdered and Dismembered in Camden
CAMDEN, N.J. — Authorities have arrested a Camden man and two members of his family in connection with the murder of a man whose body has not been recovered, Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Camden County Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez announced on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Everton Thomas, 41, of Camden, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 48-year-old Harold “Hal” Miller Jr.
Thomas also faces charges of second-degree desecration of human remains and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.
Sherrie Parker, 41, the defendant’s wife, and Deshawn Thomas, 22, his son, are each charged with second-degree desecration of human remains and fourth-degree tampering with physical evidence.
On June 14, 2025, Harold Miller Jr. was reported missing to the Deptford Township Police Department. Investigators learned that Miller had been playing cards with friends in Camden in the early morning hours of June 12, 2025.
His vehicle was later located abandoned in Pennsauken on the same day he was reported missing.
Detectives obtained surveillance footage and cell phone records showing that Miller entered a residence on the 2600 block of Baird Boulevard in Camden at approximately 11:30 a.m. on June 12, 2025.
Moments later, the footage recorded the sound of what appeared to be a single gunshot. Miller was never seen leaving the property. Surveillance also captured a man, later identified as Everton Thomas, moving Miller’s vehicle and parking it in the location where it was eventually discovered.
Further investigation revealed that Sherrie Parker and Deshawn Thomas purchased a chainsaw, containers, trash bags, and cleaning supplies shortly after Miller entered the residence.
Additional video evidence showed Everton and Deshawn Thomas making several trips to dumpsters at the Tamarack Apartments, loading containers and trash bags into a vehicle before leaving Camden.
On June 20, 2025, detectives executed a search warrant at the Baird Boulevard residence. During the search, investigators recovered suspected bloodstains and found Everton Thomas in possession of a loaded firearm with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in a ten-round magazine.
Forensic testing later confirmed that the blood recovered inside the residence matched the DNA profile of Harold Miller Jr.
The following day, before charges were filed, Everton Thomas fled the United States and crossed into Canada.
On September 5, 2025, following an extensive investigation conducted by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit and the Camden County Police Department, with assistance from the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office and the Deptford Township Police Department, all three defendants were formally charged.
On September 8, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force – Camden Division arrested Sherrie Parker and Deshawn Thomas in Camden. Both remain in custody at the Camden County Correctional Facility.
That same day, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested Everton Thomas at the Port of Buffalo, New York, after he reentered the United States from Canada aboard a commercial bus. He is being held at a New York correctional facility pending extradition to New Jersey.
Authorities continue to seek information regarding the whereabouts of Miller’s remains. Anyone with knowledge relevant to the investigation is urged to contact Detective Jake Siegfried of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit at (856) 225-5086 or Detective Andrew Mogck of the Camden County Police Department at (609) 519-8588.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.