New Jersey murder suspect cuffed at airport trying to flee, prosecutors claim

A murder suspect was arrested trying to board a plane months after he allegedly killed a man, according to prosecutors.

Darius L. Easterling, 30, is charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Shortly after 10 p.m. on July 22, members of the Hillside Police department responded to the 1400 block of North Broad Street in New Jersey, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

Officers found the victim, Steven Zimmerman, 31, who had sustained serious injury after being shot.

Zimmerman was subsequently pronounced dead, according to police. Authorities have not said what led to the shooting.

“We are grateful for the collaboration from the local and federal law enforcement agencies who assisted our Office in locating and apprehending the suspect,” Prosecutor William A. Daniel said. “And we hope that this arrest can bring some small measure of comfort to all those grieving Mr. Zimmerman.”

On Aug. 11, Easterling was arrested at Newark Airport, prosecutors said. They did not indicate if he had a plane ticket to try and flee the area.

Easterling faces life in prison if convicted.