Galloway Township Man Indicted for Murder in Pleasantville

MAYS LANDING, NJ – On Wednesday, June 25, 2024, Kalief Lyons, 35, of Galloway Township, NJ, was indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury for murder and associated weapons offenses related to an incident that occurred on May 9, 2024, in Pleasantville, NJ.

On May 9, 2024, at approximately 11:02 p.m. the Pleasantville Police Department received a shot spotter alert for multiple gunshots in the area of 9 West Pleasant Avenue. ?Officers arrived and located Baseem Taliaferro, 38, inside of 9 West Pleasant Avenue, first floor apartment, with a gunshot wound to his chest. ?He was pronounced deceased while on scene.

A witness stated an argument had occurred between Lyons and several other individuals in the area of 9 W. Pleasant Avenue approximately twenty minutes prior to the shooting.? Following the argument, Lyons left the area, but surveillance captured him walking back towards the rear of 9 W. Pleasant Avenue wearing a ski mask. ?Lyons was then observed walking away from the area of the shooting approximately two minutes after and without wearing the ski mask.

This case continues to be investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Major Crimes Unit along with the Pleasantville Police Department.

***These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt.? In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.***

Anyone with information about the homicide or other serious crimes are asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit at 609-909-7666 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Website at ACPO.Tips and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.

People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at https://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/.? Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.