Three Camden County men face felony murder charges following the death of a 19-year-old.
CAMDEN -- From audible sighs when possible sentences were read aloud to howls from behind closed doors and a desperate plea to just turn around and see ones family before being led back to jail, emotions ran high Tuesday in Camden County Superior Court.
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Aaron Swann, left, Ashan Thomas, center, and Raquan Handon, right, appear in Camden County Superior Court on Tuesday morning in this combined photo. (Greg Adomaitis | For NJ.com) Raquan Handon, Aaron Swann and Ashan Thomas were arraigned on felony murder charges following the May 18 shooting death of 19-year-old Camden man Terron L. Phillips.
"He was well-loved," Camden County Prosecutor's Office Assistant Prosecutor Christine Shah said of Phillips, who was allegedly approached that night by Handon, Swann and Thomas alongside a 16-year-old from Merchantville who is accused of firing the fatal shotgun blast.
Prior to spotting Phillips at a gas station near the 3500 block of Pierce Street, Shah said the group "terrorized" Camden that night during two other armed robbery attempts -- with all but one member of the group taking turns brandishing the since-recovered murder weapon.
According to Shah, Phillips had gone out to buy cigarettes when the suspects -- arrested late last week after tips from the public came in -- spotted him.
"The courtroom is filled with people mourning his loss," Shah said.
Swann, 18, of Pennsauken, was the first to appear before Superior Court Judge Edward McBride. He was also the only one to appear alongside legal counsel and have family members present for Tuesday's proceedings.
"It makes you wonder where the influence came from, or who it came from," Haddon Heights-based attorney Matthew Portella said of his client, a 2015 Pennsauken High School graduate and standout football player who worked as a host at a local restaurant.
Gunshots startle neighbors in fatal shooting
After hearing the charges against him as a result of the fatal shooting and two armed robbery tries, Swann visibly pushed back against the county sheriff's officers, pleading with them briefly, as they led him back into custody.
Thomas, of Pennsauken, appeared next before McBride, who began reading the charges against the man but had to jump back and explain what rights were allotted to the 18-year-old who spent his time in court rocking back and forth against a table.
Handon, 18, of Camden, was the last to appear before McBride. He also appeared without an attorney, although he indicated he hoped to hire one. Following the fatal shooting, authorities disseminated surveillance photos and tips from the public indicated Handon was one of the suspects pictured.
Shah noted that Handon was the only person that night to not handle the shotgun, although she requested -- and was granted -- the same $2 million blanket bail for each of the three men.
The 16-year-old who is accused of shooting Phillips was already at a juvenile detention center on unrelated charges.
"I want to thank those who did the right thing and provided information to detectives," Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo said in a statement. "It is vital for the public and law enforcement to work together to keep our communities safe."
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.