Man shot dead in Linden, alleged killer on the loose

UPDATE: Prosecutors said Thursday afternoon that Shansey Abernathy had turned himself in hours after his picture was released to the media. He was being held at Union County Jail awaiting a hearing.

LINDEN — Police are looking for the man they say shot a Linden resident dead Wednesday afternoon.

Shortly after 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, Linden police responded to the 800 block of Cleveland Avenue on a report of a shooting, and found 27-year-old Alphonso Pearson suffering a gunshot wound to the chest, the Union County Prosecutor's Office said. He was rushed to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, where he was pronounced dead, it said.

It said an investigation by several units resulted in Shansey Abernathy of Linden "quickly" being identified as a suspect. The prosecutor's office didn't elaborate on how Abernathy was identified in a news release on its search for him.

Police are still looking for Abernathy, but he's been charged with murder and two weapons-related offenses.

The prosecutor's office is asking anyone with information about the shooting or Abernathy’s whereabouts to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Jose Vendas at 908-358-3048.

In addition, the Union County Crime Stoppers organization is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and indictment in this case. Tps 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 uctip.org.