Another Man Involved in 2020 Pine Hill Murder and Kidnapping of Pedro Fernandez Jr., Arrested
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Camden City, N.J. (June 25, 2021)--– A second Camden man has been charged in connection with the June 2020 homicide of a Pine Hill man, who had been reported missing, according to Acting Camden County Prosecutor Jill S. Mayer and Camden County Metro Police Chief Gabriel Rodriguez.
Rashaan Setzer, 29, of Camden, has been charged with one count of first-degree Felony Murder in the homicide of Pedro Fernandez, Jr., 30, of Pine Hill. Setzer was arrested shortly after 8:00 a.m. this morning by the US Marshals NY/NJ Fugitive Task Force at a residence on the 100 block of Burrough Mill Court in Cherry Hill.
On Saturday, June 27, 2020, police responded to a report of a possible kidnapping on the 1500 block of Pershing St. just after 11:00 p.m. Witnesses said they saw Fernandez being forced into a black pickup, which then fled the scene.
Around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2020, officers conducted a motor vehicle stop of a truck matching the description of the vehicle used in the kidnapping and identified Rashaan Setzer as the driver.
At 2:00 p.m. that same day, Detectives located Fernandez’s body in an alleyway off the 400 block of Marlton Ave. in Camden. He had been shot multiple times and was deceased.
On Monday, June 29, 2020, Michael Branon, 33, of Camden, was charged with one count of first-degree Felony Murder for his role in the death of Fernandez. Branon is currently being detained at the Camden County Jail awaiting trial.
Through further investigation and evidential analysis, detectives were able to determine that Setzer was also responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Fernandez. That investigation led to Setzer being charged yesterday. He is currently being detained at the Camden County Jail and is awaiting a pretrial detention hearing.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Detective Andy McNeil at 856-225-8407 or Camden County Police Detective Ed Gonzalez at 856-757-7400. You can also email tips to [email protected].
All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.