N.J. man convicted of torturing and killing college student and 2 kids over Facebook comment

NEWARK, N.J. (TCD) -- A 31-year-old man was found guilty last week of killing a college student and two juveniles at their home in 2016.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced Jeremy Arrington’s conviction in a March 5 statement, which included three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, burglary, criminal restraint, unlawful possession of a handgun, unlawful possession of a knife, and possession of a handgun and knife for an unlawful purpose.

The victims were 7-year-old Ariel Whitehurst, 11-year-old Al-Jahon Whitehurst, and 23-year-old Syasia McBurroughs. The two Whitehurst children were stabbed to death, while McBurroughs was shot.

According to the statement, Arrington went to the Whitehurst residence on the 100 block of Hedden Terrace on Nov. 5, 2016, in the afternoon and was armed with a loaded gun. He "tied up the individuals located inside the apartment and proceeded to torture them by stabbing them with kitchen knives," the Prosecutor’s Office says. He then shot McBurroughs, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Ariel and Al-Jahon were pronounced dead at University Hospital.

Three other people inside the residence, including a 29-year-old female, a 13-year-old male and his female twin, were stabbed and ultimately saved by emergency medical personnel. The Prosecutor’s Office says a girl with autism escaped and was able to call for help while hiding in a closet.

Arrington reportedly fled the scene but was apprehended the next day in a barricaded residence.

According to NJ.com, Arrington was named as a suspect in an October 2016 shooting and sexual assault. One of the victims reportedly reposted the news about it. The Prosecutor’s Office noted in the statement that they believe the stabbing and attack was "prompted by a comment on Facebook."

Arrington faces "multiple life sentences" and will be sentenced April 8.

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