Camden, New Jersey — A man has been convicted by a jury for the murder of a cyclist in Camden. Maurice Peaker, Jr., aged 28, now faces the possibility of life imprisonment for the drive-by shooting that claimed the life of Thomas Smith. This conviction comes exactly two years after the tragic incident took place.
The jury found Peaker guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. His sentencing is scheduled for November 10.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of August 15, 2021, when Camden County police responded to reports of gunfire around the 1100 block of Kaighn Avenue. On arrival, officers discovered Thomas Smith, a 67-year-old resident of Camden, on the sidewalk with apparent gunshot wounds. Tragically, Smith was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to Cooper University Hospital.
Through an intensive investigation that involved reviewing surveillance footage, law enforcement determined that Smith was shot by an individual in a passing vehicle while he was crossing Kaighn Avenue on his bicycle. The vehicle, identified as a 2000 Nissan Maxima with a damaged passenger taillight, was traced through its license plate captured by an automated plate reader, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office (CCPO).
The vehicle was located at an apartment building on the 200 block of Oakland Avenue in Audubon. Further examination of surveillance footage revealed that Maurice Peaker was seen driving the vehicle on the morning of the shooting. Peaker was residing in the apartment building with his girlfriend, according to the CCPO.
Investigation footage showed Peaker entering and leaving the apartment building multiple times on the morning of the shooting. Notably, he returned to the building less than 10 minutes after the incident, carrying a tote bag. The bag, later recovered by detectives, tested positive for chemical elements consistent with gunshot residue, officials revealed.
Subsequent searches of the Nissan Maxima led to the discovery of a shell casing of the same caliber and manufacturer as the casings found at the crime scene. Ballistic analysis confirmed that all six shell casings were discharged from the same firearm.
Maurice Peaker was apprehended on August 26, 2021, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service in Yeadon, Pennsylvania.
While justice has been served through this conviction, the pain of this tragic loss continues for Thomas Smith’s family and the community. The verdict marks a step towards closure, as the legal process proceeds toward Peaker’s sentencing, where the court will determine the appropriate consequences for his actions.
