WINSLOW TWP. — The Gloucester County man accused of fatally shooting a 20-year-old Winslow resident appeared in Camden County Superior Court on Tuesday and will remain in custody.
Aaron “Leek” Aycox, 18, is charged with first-degree murder in the Jan. 24 shooting death of 20-year-old Michael Branham, who lived in Sicklerville at the time and is being remembered by a former coach as a “hardworking” athlete.
According to a probable cause statement provided by the prosecutor’s office following Aycox’s pre-trial detention hearing, the man allegedly met his victim under the pretext of a drug deal.
It was around 6 p.m. on Jan. 24 when Branham drove his 1997 BMW to Victoria Manor Court. According to an eyewitness to the shooting, Aycox approached Branham’s vehicle. A single gunshot later rang out and Aycox was seen fleeing on foot, the witness told investigators.
A second Witness who apparently knew the shooter said Aycox later admitted to trying to rob Branham, but something “went wrong during the robbery,” the probable cause statement reads.
‘This ain’t no place to live’: Gunfire worries Camden
Branham suffered a single gunshot wound to the shoulder and was founded wounded inside his vehicle — also where a .40 caliber shell was found, authorities said. He was transported to Kennedy University Hospital, in Washington Township, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. His death was later ruled a homicide and the cause was a gunshot wound to the chest.
Aycox was arrested in Camden by members of the U.S. Marshals Service Regional Fugitive Task Force on Wednesday, Feb. 15.
A 2014 Winslow Township High School grad, Branham was a soft-spoken, dedicated student, recalled wrestling coach Bruce Stowell.
“Michael was a great guy,” Stowell said. “When I heard about this I was sick to my stomach.”
In addition to wrestling — he made it to regions his senior year — Branham played football and lacrosse during his high school career.
“He didn’t say too much,” Stowell said. “He was a hardworking kid who always gave you his best, day in and day out.”
Branham’s family is well-known and highly respected in the district, Stowell said.
His brother graduated from Winslow last year and his sister is a current student and soccer player, said Stowell, who is also head girls soccer coach. His father, who is a police officer, also volunteers as an assistant football coach at the high school.
Staff writer Matt Gray contributed to this report.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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