MAPLEWOOD — One man was in custody and another was wanted on murder charges in the shooting deaths of three friends at a Maplewood apartment, Essex County authorities confirmed Friday.
Lavelle T. Davis, 33
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office detectives, Maplewood police, the FBI and Maryland State Police arrested Jimmy P. Mays, 37, formerly of Egg Harbor Township, in Columbia, Maryland, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A . Murray and Maplewood Police Chief Robert Cimino.
Another man, Lavelle T. Davis, 33, of Galloway, remained at-large, Murray said. He should be considered armed and dangerous, she said.
Both men were charged with three counts of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, felony murder, robbery and weapons charges in the Jan. 29 killings of Michael Davis, 45, of Maplewood, Lance Fraser, 44, of Newark and Roshana Kelson, 30, of Paterson.
The three were found dead at Davis’ Van Ness Court apartment by firefighters, who went to check the residence after a call from someone concerned they could not reach the one of the victims, according to officials.
Prosecutors have not disclosed a possible motive in the slayings.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Lavelle Davis was urged to call the prosecutor’s office tips line at 1-877-TIPS -4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc and on Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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