For Immediate Release: April 4, 2018
April 1st Elizabeth Homicide and Attempted Murders
SHARIF ROBINSON
DOB 12/12/1991
FELIPE CADET
Irvington, NJ
JONATHAN PHILIPPE
DON LAFORTUNE
Yesterday, members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force obtained complaint warrants for four men involved in a shootout in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1, 2018, in the City of Elizabeth, which resulted in the shooting death of 26 year-old Daniel Louis of Irvington. In connection with that incident, warrants for the following individuals were obtained:
27 year old Sharif Q. Robinson, of Jersey City, who is charged with one count of first-degree Murder, one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and one count of second-degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution;
25 year old Jonathan Philippe of Irvington, who is charged with two counts of first-degree Attempted Murder, two counts of second-degree Aggravated Assault and one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose;
21 year old Pierre Cadet of Irvington, who is charged with two counts of first-degree Attempted Murder , two counts of second-degree Aggravated Assault , one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose and one count of second-degree Eluding;
23 year old Don LaFortune of Irvington, who is charged with one count of first-degree Attempted Murder, one count of second-degree Aggravated Assault, and one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.
The securing of the complaints against these four defendants followed an exhaustive investigation that began in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 1st. It was at approximately 2:30 in the morning, when a large group assembled outside Exotics Gentlemen's Club located on the 1100 block of Elizabeth Avenue. A fight between members of the group broke out and during the scuffle; one of the members of the crowd fired two shots into the air. The mob immediately dispersed, with several members, including the four charged individuals, proceeding into a parking lot directly across the street. At that point, Sharif Robinson shot an unarmed Daniel Louis, who was later pronounced dead at the scene. An Elizabeth Police officer on patrol in the area heard the initial gunshots and called for assistance.
Immediately after Mr. Louis was shot, Robinson, Philippe, Cadet and LaFortune became involved in a shootout in the parking lot, firing numerous rounds. It was at this moment that two Elizabeth Police Officers arrived at the scene, on foot, and immediately witnessed the firefight in progress. The officers advanced toward the shooters and were fired upon by Philippe and Cadet, who were near their vehicle, a Maserati. Neither officer was hit by the gunfire. The patrolmen returned fire, and the two men were able to enter the car and, with Cadet driving, flee at a high rate of speed. Elizabeth Patrol Units gave chase into Newark, where the two were able to evade the officers, abandon the vehicle and escape. The car was recovered, held and processed for evidentiary purposes.
During the course of the remainder of the day and into the night, investigators from the Union County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force, Special Prosecutions Unit and High Tech Unit, along with members of the Elizabeth Police Department, The Union County Police, and the Union County Sheriff's Office, the Irvington Police Department and the Jersey City Police Department undertook extensive and tireless investigative measures in an effort to solve Mr. Louis' murder and the attempted murder of the Elizabeth Police Officers.
Because of that exceptional, exhaustive investigation, we were able to determine through speaking to numerous witnesses and reviewing significant amounts of evidence that the above defendants were responsible for the crimes that were eventually charged.
Following around the clock efforts by members of law enforcement, both Pierre Cadet and Don LaFortune were arrested, taken into custody, and are currently being housed in the Union County Jail pending Pretrial Detention Hearings.
Both Sharif Robinson and Jonathan Philippe remain at large and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone who sees or comes in contact with either Philippe or Robinson is cautioned not to approach them and call "9-1-1".
The Union County Crime Stoppers are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of Sharif Robinson and Jonathan Philippe in this matter. Tips can be given anonymously by phone at (908) 654-TIPS (8477), via text message by texting "UCTIP" plus a message to 274637 (CRIMES), or online at www.uctip.org.
These charges are the product of outstanding police work, expert legal ability and assistance, and unwavering determination to bring those who endanger our streets and our communities to justice. I would like to sincerely thank the members of the Union County Prosecutor's Office; The Elizabeth Police Department; The Union County Sheriff's Office; The Union County Police Department; and the Irvington and Jersey City Police Departments for their, dedication and efforts.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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