On Friday, July 15, East Orange Police were dispatched to Elmwood Park on a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they discovered the victim suffering from gunshot wounds on Oak Street. He was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead at 3:45 am.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Calls will be kept confidential.

On Sunday, July 17 Ramos-Gomez was shot while working in his corner grocery store located on the 200 block of South 10^th Street.   

 He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 pm.  

The investigation is active and ongoing. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Calls will be kept confidential.

April 8, 2022

Newark Man Found Guilty of Triple Homicide Sentenced to 375 Years in New Jersey State Prison

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Jeremy Arrington, 32, of Newark was sentenced to 375 years for murdering three people and attempting to murder three more after becoming enraged over a Facebook comment.

The Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the judge who presided over Arrington’s 10-day jury trial, gave Arrington three consecutive life sentences for fatally stabbing two young siblings, Ariel Little Whitehurst, a seven-year-old female, and her 11-year-old brother, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, as well as shooting to death, Syasia McBurroughs, a 23-year-old friend of the family who was just visiting on November 5, 2016.

On March 4, Arrington was convicted of 28 counts, including 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 a knife for an unlawful purpose.

In addition to the three consecutive life sentences for murder, today, Judge Wigler imposed consecutive 50-year sentences for each of the three attempted murder convictions for the surviving victims. Under the No Early Release Act, Arrington would have to serve a total of 281 years of his 375-year sentence before being eligible for parole.

Under New Jersey law, a life sentence is 75 years. A defendant sentenced to life must serve 63 years and nine months before he is eligible for parole.

On Saturday Nov. 5, 2016 Arrington unlawfully entered the Whitehurst home located in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace in Newark while armed with a loaded firearm. The evidence at trial revealed Arrington then tied up the individuals located inside the apartment and proceeded to torture them by stabbing them with kitchen knives. The stabbings resulted in the death of the two children. The defendant then shot and killed McBurroughs, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The children were pronounced dead at University Hospital. Three other stabbing victims were saved by emergency medical personnel. One of the survivors of the stabbing, a 29-year-old female, is the mother of the two murdered children. The other two surviving stab victims, a 13-year-old male and his twin 13-year-old sister, were siblings of the 29-year-old female. Police were able to respond because a young girl with autism, who is unrelated to the family and was just visiting, escaped and called for help from her phone in a closet.

Arrington fled the scene before the police were able to apprehend him. Arrington was captured the next day, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 barricaded in a residence in the 200 block of Pomona Avenue.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Coleman, argued for six consecutive life sentences given the number of people who were tortured and killed and Arrington’s lengthy prior criminal record. From 2006 to 2016, the year of the triple homicide, Arrington was arrested ten times. He had four felony convictions and had three different pending charges when he entered the Whitehurst home that day in November.

Following the sentencing, Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab, said, “Justice has been served. This defendant is pure evil and clearly deserves all 375 years in New Jersey State Prison for the terrible crimes he committed on Nov. 5, 2016. These families have waited over 5 years for this moment, and we are all so grateful for this sentence. Thank you to all those who helped bring this defendant to justice and thank you to the jury for holding this defendant accountable.”

Assistant Prosecutor Coleman said, “While nothing can bring back the lives of Ariel, Al-Jahon, and Syasia, we hope today’s sentence will provide some sense of closure to their families.”

March 31, 2022

Orange Homicide

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Orange Police Director Todd Warren announced today that Khalil A. Wheeler Weaver, 24, of Orange has been charged with the murder of 15-year-old Mawa Doumbia of Newark.

The victim’s father and sister last saw her on the evening of Oct. 7, 2016, as she was leaving the family home in Newark. She was reported missing but efforts to locate her were unsuccessful. On April 19, 2019, decomposed human remains were discovered face down on the second floor of an old carriage house on Main Street in Orange. An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be homicide by ligature strangulation. The remains were positively identified on Nov. 5, 2021 as those of Doumbia.

Following an investigation involving extensive digital evidence, it was determined that on October 7, 2016, Wheeler Weaver met the young girl online and solicited her to meet him in person for sex. It is alleged that he traveled to the area of her residence then to the murder scene where he strangled her to death and left her remains concealed within the vacant building.

Today, Wheeler Weaver was formally charged with her murder.

In addition to the Homicide Unit, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Cold Case Unit assisted in this case.

These are allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Man Convicted of Triple Murder

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Jeremy Arrington, 31, of a triple murder. He was convicted of murdering a female college student as well as two children.

The two children, Ariel Little Whitehurst, a seven year-old, and her 11-year-old brother, Al-Jahon Whitehurst, were stabbed to death by the defendant. The third victim, Syasia McBurroughs, 23, an adult female, was shot to death.

Late yesterday, following a ten-day jury trial before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, J.S.C., Arrington was convicted of 28 counts, including the 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 a knife for an unlawful purpose.

At trial the State presented 25 witnesses, including 9 expert witnesses, and successfully argued that on the afternoon of Saturday Nov. 5, 2016 Arrington unlawfully entered the Whitehurst home located in the 100 block of Hedden Terrace in Newark while armed with a loaded firearm. The proofs revealed Arrington then tied up the individuals located inside the apartment and proceeded to torture them by stabbing them with kitchen knives. The stabbings resulted in the death of the two children. The defendant then shot and killed the adult female. The children were pronounced dead at University Hospital and the adult female was pronounced dead at the scene.

Emergency medical personnel were able to save three of the stabbed victims. The surviving victims of the stabbings included a 29-year-old female, a 13-year-old male and a 13-year-old female, who are twins. According to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Coleman, the police were able to respond before more lives were lost as a result of young girl with autism who escaped and called for help from her phone in a closet.
“The loss of three lives and the anguish caused by this defendant is unfathomable,” said Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab.
Arrington subsequently fled the scene before the police were able to apprehend him. Shortly before 8 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016 Arrington was discovered barricaded in a residence in the 200 block of Pomona Avenue and stated he had a hostage. Police discovered that the hostage allegation was false and Arrington was arrested without incident.

The attack was apparently prompted by a comment on Facebook.

“We are forever grateful to the courageous survivors and witnesses who testified as well as the investigative personnel who helped bring this defendant to justice. Hopefully this verdict will bring some form of justice to all of the families and friends affected by this defendant’s horrific actions” stated Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Edwab

Sentencing is scheduled for April 8 before the Judge Wigler. Arrington faces multiple life sentences

Serial Killer Sentenced to 160 Years for Killing Three Women

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, now 25, of Orange was sentenced today to 160 years for killing three young woman and attempting to kill a fourth between August 2016 and November 2016.

In December 2019, an Essex County jury convicted Wheeler-Weaver on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33. He was also found guilty of the kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder of a fourth woman, Tiffany Taylor, who survived her attack.

Today, the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Wheeler-Weaver to 160 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), Wheeler-Weaver must serve 145 years before he is eligible for parole.

“The sentence today sends a clear and unequivocal message that each of these young women mattered. This defendant mistakenly believed that he could kill them and dump their bodies, and no one would care. He miscalculated. The jury made it clear with its verdict when it convicted Wheeler-Weaver on every count. And today the Judge, with his sentence, made it clear that each of these women would receive justice. I want to thank the Essex County assistant prosecutors, investigators and others in law enforcement who worked to bring us to this day,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Stephens. “Most importantly, I want to thank the surviving victim, Tiffany Taylor, and the friends and families of the other victims who played a pivotal role in the case.’’

Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case, with Assistant Prosecutor Mira T. Ohm, said, “I am grateful to Ms. Taylor, and the families and friends of Joanne Brown, Sarah Buter and Robin West for the grace and strength they showed throughout this horrendous ordeal. I hope that today’s sentencing, and the promise that the defendant will be incarcerated for the rest of his life can allow them to close this chapter and move forward honoring those who are not able to do so themselves.”

After a two-month trial, the jury took less than three hours to find Wheeler-Weaver guilty on all counts, including three counts of murder. In addition to the murder counts, Wheeler-Weaver was also found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of Taylor. The jury also convicted him of three counts of desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

Butler, a Montclair resident who was attending Jersey City University was murdered on Nov. 22, 2016. Her body was found in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Dec. 1, 2016.
Brown of Newark was murdered on Oct. 22, 2016. Her body was found in a vacant home in Orange on Dec. 5, 2016. West, a native of Philadelphia who was living in Union Township, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2016 in Orange. Wheeler-Weaver set fire to her body and then torched the vacant home.

Acting Prosecutor Stephens thanked all the law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on this case. He also lauded Sergeant Christopher Smith of the ECPO, Lieutenant Michael Krusznis of the Newark Police Department, retired ECPO Captain Thomas Kelly, retired ECPO Sergeant Paul Sarbando, and retired ECPO Detective Mario Suarez.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Christopher Poole, 26, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Rasheed “O.J.” Olabode, 27, also of Newark.

“There is nothing we can do to bring back Rasheed, but we hope that, with this sentencing, his family and loved ones will sleep a little easier,” said Assistant Prosecutor Michael Burke, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Jason Goldberg.

The crime occurred on April 26, 2018 at approximately 10:45 am. Olabode, an amateur photographer and recent Nigerian immigrant, and two of his friends were running errands in and around the city of Newark. Olabode needed to use a restroom. Seeing none nearby, he jumped out of his vehicle in the 700 block of South 20th Street and urinated in the street behind his car.

Poole, who lives on the block, apparently incensed at the sight of the victim urinating, walked into his house across the street and retrieved a gun, according to Assistant Prosecutor Goldberg.

The defendant then approached Olabode with the gun and shot Olabode in the chest while he begged for his life; apparently not realizing the victim’s friends were a short distance away in the vehicle watching. When Poole walked away, Olabode ran to the car where his friends were waiting. They flagged down a police officer on South 18th Street who called an ambulance to take Olabode to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“The victim’s only mistake was urinating on the defendant’s block. For that, somehow, Christopher Poole thought the proper response was to shoot Mr. Olabode at point blank range in cold blood as he begged for his life. The senselessness and brutality displayed by Mr. Poole is hard to imagine,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Goldberg.

Following a trial before the Honorable Ronald Wigler, the Presiding Criminal Division Judge, Poole was found guilty of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Yesterday, Judge Wigler sentenced Poole, who has four prior felony convictions, to life in prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Poole must serve 63 years in New Jersey State Prison before he is eligible for parole.

Newark—Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Gustavo Palomo, 39, of Newark pled guilty to first degree vehicular homicide for causing the death of 19-year-old Jaleel McCauley of Newark.

In exchange for his guilty plea, entered before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, the Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, Palomo is expected to be sentenced to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Under the No Early Release Act, he must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 2, 2020.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock, who handled the case, on March 17, at approximately 6:39 p.m. McCauley was struck from behind by a white pick-up truck while his car was stopped at a red light on the exit ramp of I-280 and First Street in Newark. Palomo, the driver of the white pick-up truck that struck McCauley, fled the scene.

McCauley sustained serious injuries. On March 23, he died from his injuries.

Palomo, who was traveling at a high rate of speed and driving under the influence of alcohol, was quickly apprehended, according to Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

“By choosing to drink and drive, this defendant ended the very promising life of an accomplished 19-year-old man. Hopefully, defendant’s long prison sentence will help demonstrate to society that the needless loss of life caused by this truly preventable criminal act will not be tolerated,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Pollock.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, 23, of Orange on three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of three young women he killed between August and November 2016 and the kidnapping, sexual assault, and attempted murder of a fourth woman.

“This defendant somehow thought that he could kill these women without anyone caring. The investigation undertaken by our office, in cooperation with others in law enforcement, makes clear that those of us in law enforcement would not allow that to happen,’’ said Acting Prosecutor’s Stephens. “The jury’s verdict makes clear the community would not either. Every victim is important, and we pursue each case was an unwavering commitment to produce the best outcome possible based on the evidence we can gather.’’

After a two-month trial, the jury took less than three hours to find Wheeler-Weaver guilty on all counts, including three counts of murder for killing Sarah Butler, 20, Robin West, 19, and Joanne Brown, 33.

In addition to the murder counts, Wheeler-Weaver was also found guilty of kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and attempted murder of a 34-year-old woman who survived the attack. The jury also convicted him of three counts of desecration of human remains and aggravated arson.

Butler, a Montclair resident who was attending Jersey City University was murdered on Nov. 22, 2016. Her body was found in Eagle Rock Reservation in West Orange on Dec. 1, 2016.
Brown of Newark was murdered on Oct. 22, 2016. Her body was found in a vacant home in Orange on Dec. 5, 2016.

West, a native of Philadelphia who was living in Union Township, was murdered on Sept. 1, 2016 in Orange. Wheeler-Weaver set fire to her body and then torched the vacant home.

“Three years ago, three families suffered the terror of a missing loved one, followed by the horror and loss of learning they had been murdered. The survivor suffered a horrible trauma, from which she continues to recover. For the past three years, we have worked to win justice for these women. The jury has now delivered that justice on behalf of our community,” said Assistant Prosecutor Adam B. Wells, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Mira Ohm.
“We thank the jury for their tremendous service. This result could not have happened without the cooperation of members of the law enforcement community as well as the victims’ friends and family who worked with us in solving these heinous crimes,” said Assistant Prosecutor Ohm.
Acting Prosecutor Stephens thanked all the law enforcement agencies that worked so closely with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office on this case. He extended a special thanks to Sergeant Christopher Smith of the ECPO, Lieutenant Michael Krusznis of the Newark Police Department, ECPO Captain Thomas Kelly, retired ECPO Sergeant Paul Sarbando and ECPO Detective Mario Suarez.

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court, sentenced Hassan Todd, 31, of Newark to 65 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of Elijah Roberts, 30, also of Newark.
The defendant must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Assistant Prosecutor Jacqueline D. Bilinkas, who tried the case, argued for a life sentence saying Todd had multiple second chances but his crimes only grew more violent.

“This defendant had opportunities for rehabilitation starting with his first offenses as a juvenile but none of that was a deterrent. He started out with theft and drugs and ultimately escalated to murder,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Bilinkas.

On Sept. 30, of this year an Essex County jury convicted Todd of murdering Roberts following a trial. The fatal shooting occurred on Sept. 22, 2018 outside a restaurant located in the 100 block of Avon Avenue in the City of Newark. Todd shot Roberts seven times, three times in the back. Todd also shot a second man in the leg.

The incident, which was captured on video surveillance, depicts Todd continuously shooting Roberts even after he is crawling on the ground around a parked car trying to escape the gunshots. Two witnesses, who identified Todd as the shooter, came forward and testified for the state.

Todd has four prior felony convictions for robbery, aggravated assault, drug offenses and resisting arrest.