Family wants justice in fatal Bridgeton stabbing

BRIDGETON – The family mourning the death of a stabbing victim in Bridgeton believes there is more to the case than initially let on.

Twenty-year-old Kevin Carrillo died Friday after being stabbed by two juveniles outside a Cottage Avenue market, police said.

The two teens – whom police did not identify because they are minors – were charged with homicide, aggravated assault, conspiracy, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police also arrested 18-year-old Adrian DeJesus, saying the teens exited her car before confronting Carrillo.

Carrillo’s family believes DeJesus should be charged with conspiracy, in addition to her current charge of hindering apprehension.

“The girl shouldn’t have been let off with a slap on the hand like that,” said Carrillo’s aunt, Lizandra Garcia, who noted DeJesus is the victim's ex-girlfriend. “We believe that it was a setup.”

PREVIOUSLY: Man killed in Bridgeton stabbing; juveniles charge

Police confirmed they investigated claims by Carrillo's family that DeJesus may have orchestrated the killing.

“Nothing so far has showed that it was initiated by something (DeJesus) orchestrated,” Lt. Rick Pierce said. “There is nothing in the investigation but the family pointing fingers.”

The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the fatal stabbing.

Garcia and about a dozen other friends and family of Carrillo held a peaceful protest Tuesday afternoon in front of the Cumberland County Courthouse.

Inside, the two teen suspects were having their first appearance before a judge, Garcia said. The hearing was closed to the public and media because the defendants are juveniles.

Police have said Carrillo was walking down Cottage Avenue around 1:45 p.m. Friday with an unidentified man when a gray Dodge, driven by DeJesus with the two teen suspects as passengers, pulled up.

The teens got out of the vehicle and fought with the men, and the confrontation escalated with Carrillo being stabbed, according to police.

DeJesus sped away from the scene down an alley next to the Mi Refugio Super Market, police said.

Meanwhile, Carrillo fled into the market, where officers found him unconscious in an aisle.

He was taken to Inspira Health Center Bridgeton and later pronounced dead.

Police said they later found the Dodge at Church and Marion streets and stopped it, arresting DeJesus and a boy passenger.

The second boy was arrested later that day. The man walking with Carrillo left the scene and hasn't been located, according to police.

As for Carrillo’s family, they fear the alleged killers may get off easy.

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“We don’t want them to be treated as minors,” Garcia said of the suspects. “They took his life, they’re aware of what they did. He wasn’t no animal for them to do this to him like that. I want justice for my nephew.”

According to police, detectives have not found anything pointing directly to a conspiracy to kill Carrillo.

“They were walking in the street during the day, so it would be tough to say they were set up,” Pierce said. “It wasn’t like they were stalking (Carrillo) or anything.”

Pierce added: “Interviewing everybody, they kind of just ran by each other and saw the opportunity to fight and it got a little out of control. From what it sounded like, (Carrillo) might have been holding his own and the two younger boys resorted to a knife.”

Pierce added that the fight did not appear to be gang-related.

“Nothing through the investigation showed any gang stuff,” he said.

Since the incident, Carrillo’s family has held nightly candlelight vigils by the Cottage Avenue market.

They remember a young man who had a great sense of humor, worked hard at his construction job and left behind a 1-month-old daughter.

“He was a very loving, kind person,” Garcia said. “He would always be joking around.”

Carrillo’s cousin Emmanuel Sanchez agreed.

“He was friends with everybody,” Sanchez said. “He was trying to get ahead for him and his baby — he was super happy about being a father.”

Jaidy Carrillo, Kevin’s 14-year-old sister, said she misses her older brother.

“He was always a good brother,” she said. “He was nice to everyone. He was the best brother anyone could ask for.”

Daniel J. Kov; (856) 563-5262; dkov@gannettnj.com