Who was Asia Hester? 'Hardworking' healthcare worker, 25, shot dead over 'turf war' at party in New Jersey
A tragic shooting in Fairfield, New Jersey on Saturday, May 22, has left two victims dead. They have been identified as Asia Hester, a healthcare worker and Kevin Elliot. The two were shot dead at a birthday BBQ event, in what many believe to be a result of a 'turf war' between local gangs.
Hester, 25, lived less than a mile from the shooting location, a home belonging to a “family-oriented woman”. Reportedly, the 1990s themed party was for her nephew, which was being attended by hundreds of guests. It is unclear now who exactly is responsible or who was the target, but locals believe the shooters meant to kill Elliot. Amid the hail of bullets, Hester's horrific death has shaken the community. She is now being mourned by friends and family both online and offline. Here's everything we know about Hester and how she ended up being the victim of this reported turf war.
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Who was Asia Hester?
The 25-year-old healthcare worker was originally from Kingston, Jamaica, according to her Facebook page. It is unclear when she migrated to the US. Hester studied at Rowan College of South Jersey. Following her graduation, she worked at Jefferson Health, a large multi-specialty hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She lived in Gouldtown, New Jersey with her family, which also includes a sister.
Hester's shocked and heartbroken sister Crystal talked to the New York Post. She said, "I talked to her yesterday before she went (to the party). She didn’t deserve this." Another male relative told the publication, "She was a hardworking person. She was a good person, very respectable. It’s just a tragic situation. Something’s got to be done." A childhood friend, Laquanta Davis, told The Post, "She was an A student. She was so smart, beautiful, nice." Davis added, "Asia was very kind. She would give you the clothes off her back. She didn’t deserve what happened to her."
Hester's death came as a shock to Davis, who said that she usually didn't "get out much". "She wasn’t the type who went out to parties, so that took me by surprise. Who would have ever thought it would turn out this way for her," Davis lamented. "She was so sweet, so sweet and loving. It hurts, it really does." The mourners gathered at the family home on Sunday, May 23, to pay tribute to Hester.
Online too, friends and relatives only had good things to say about her. "Asia, I've watched you grow up and become a beautiful young woman inside and out! I'm so sorry this crazy person took your life away. May he get what is coming to him," a neighbor wrote on Facebook. Another wrote, "Asia Hester was not only my coworker, but she was my friend. My heart feels heavy to know someone with so much light got her life taken away. Our work family won’t be the same- our unit will not be the same without you, Asia. I hope heaven treats you well and you never lose your AirPods because we had a crazy tendency of doing that." Others too have posted condolence messages online.
Beyond that, not much else is known about Hester. Her Facebook profile is filled with memes and jokes and a few personal photos. Hester and Elliot are the only two to have died in the shooting, nearly 12 others are being treated for injuries.
Investigations are ongoing, and the police are yet to confirm the motive, as well as who the perpetrators are. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has slammed the violence, saying, "We hold those who have died, and their families, in our prayers today, and we also pray for the recoveries of those injured. Let there be no mistake: this despicable and cowardly act of gun violence only steels our commitment to ensuring New Jersey leads the nation in passing and enforcing strong and commonsense gun safety laws."