According to police, an altercation at a birthday party in Cape May County resulted in a fatal shooting

A shooting last month that left a 24-year-old dead and another man charged with murder was sparked by a fight outside a Cape May County home where a large birthday party was taking place, authorities said.

The fight began just before 11 p.m. on Oct. 25 outside a home on Longfellow Street in Woodbine, according to a criminal complaint charging Hakeem T. Denby with murder and three weapons offenses.

After the initial altercation, a large crowd made its way to nearby Madison Street, where another argument broke out and four shots were fired, authorities said.

When police arrived, they found Daquan M. Smith, of Middle Township, on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds, the complaint states.

Smith, who arrived on Madison Street in a vehicle with three other people, was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

Police later executed a search warrant at the home where the party took place, checking surveillance cameras and interviewing witnesses, authorities said.

A witness told investigators that Denby shot Smith, prosecutors said.

Denby, 34, of Vineland, fled on foot after the shooting before being arrested and charged Friday.

He attended the party and was seen on cell phone videos recorded by attendees, court documents say.

According to online jail records, Denby remains held in the Cape May County Jail as of Wednesday morning. Attorney information was not immediately available.

According to the Department of Corrections, Denby served less than six months in state prison on a gun possession conviction before being released on parole in June 2023.

Smith’s funeral is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Cape May Court House in Middle Township.