Suspect in 2012 NJ homicide captured in England, authorities say

ELIZABETH — Authorities have apprehended a 27-year-old former New Jersey man in England in connection with a 2012 homicide.

Eslam Gad, 27, is facing charges including first-degree murder and weapons offenses, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office. Authorities allege that on Aug. 8, 2012, Gad fatally shot 21-year-old Anthony Holmes Jr., of Pemberton.

Police say that on that date, just before midnight, Holmes was in the area of 3rd and Pine streets in the city's Elizabethport section with a relative and several friends. Police allege that Gad fired several gunshots out the window of a red Ford Mustang, striking Holmes, who was not believed to be the intended target.

The victim was transported to University Hospital in Newark where he was pronounced dead early the following day, the prosecutor's office said. Two vehicles and a home were struck during the gunfire, but no other injuries were reported, according to police.

Following an investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force, Union County Sheriff’s Office and Elizabeth Police Department, Gad, who had to Egypt, was identified as the shooter. In August, criminal complaints were filed against him after he had already left the country.

NJ murder suspect arrested 9 years later in Guatemala

In order to track him down, authorities filed a "Blue Notice" with INTERPOL in October 2012. Gad was located earlier this month in Manchester, England and a provisional arrest warrant was issued, authorities said. He is expected to be extradited back to the United States and could face 30 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder.

According to the prosecutor's office, Gad's arrest is the second time in the past month that federal agencies worked to capture a Union County fugitive who fled overseas. On Nov. 1, authorities announced that Welder Morente Dubon, 30, formerly of Plainfield, was apprehended in Guatemala in connection with the March 29, 2007, beating death of Joseph Tremarco, 23, of Long Hill.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.