7 killed, 46 injured in 10 weekend mass shootings nationwide. Maplewood, NJ high school student is shot dead on athletic field By Bill Hutchinson. He's not a bad kid. Yohan Hernandez was later arrested . The deal came against the wishes of Fofana's family, who argued it was too light a sentence for the killing of the soccer star. 2023 Junior Police Academy. Something was said. Anyone with information on either of these incidents is urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Thomas Manzo at 800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Detective Carrie Bartlett at 732-988-8000. Tracey Tully covers New Jersey. 973.762.8120 Hours of Operation 9:00 am - 4:30 pm. To remove that publicly can be very humiliating," said Selaedin Maksut, CAIR-NJ's executive director. A family in Maplewood, New Jersey, says that their young daughter's teacher ripped her hijab off of her head, traumatizing the child. The death of Fofana, a junior at the school with dreams of playing professional soccer,stunned the residents of South Orange and Maplewood, which are both served by Columbia, when he was shot on a field in Underhill Sports Complex while walking to a friend's house in June 2021. 973.762.8120 He said it is a rare occurrence that he ever rejects a plea deal and noted that in Essex County, the prosecution never offers a plea bargain in a homicide case. "This is abuse," she wrote. No charges for Burlington cop in fatal 2022 officer-involved shooting Mothers are getting this call, he said. Baker Street Road Closure. Students from a nearby middle school had been dismissed for the day, and the sidewalks were crowded with pedestrians. Community fumes over plea deal in fatal shooting of Columbia - CBS News ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, was fatally shot at the Underhill Sports Complex, Insurance nightmare after rental truck smashes 40 cars in Queens, Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts. But on Wednesday, the teacher allegedly told her to remove it. The New Jersey school has since received hundreds of calls asking for the elementary school teacher's removal. "Please, I just need justice for my son," he said through his tears. The other victim was shot in the leg. NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ On Thursday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced his office is requesting help from anyone who may have witnessed a fatal shooting that took place in Neptune Township in July 2022. MAPLEWOOD, NJ Maplewood Police are responding to an incident leaving two people shot on Hughes Street on Friday night, according to Breaking News Network. Columbia High School Soccer Star Moussa Fofana Shot To Death - CBS News In the first nine months of this year, there have been eight reported murders one more than during the same period last year, police data show. He was into school and he was into his basketball that was it, she added. Wawa Hoagie Day 2023: Visitors treated to free hoagies on Independence And last year, the number of shooting victims went down by nearly 30 percent from 2020. NJ news:Here's how some NJ schools will teach sex education. "The tragic homicide of young Moussa Fofana was handled in the same way. MAPLEWOOD, N.J.-- There is outrage over a plea deal that has been reached in the shooting death of a high school student that rocked a New Jersey community.. Last year, 18-year-old Moussa Fofana . Prosecutor: Arrest made in shooting death of Maplewood teen, Reward for information regarding killing of Maplewood teen increased to $20,000. Any reasonable law enforcement officer in the same position would reasonably believe that she was in imminent danger of being seriously injured or killed, Judge Shelby M. Smith said in recent inquest findings. Please enter valid email address to continue. Contact Us. Published June 29, 2023 at 3:24 PM. Murder charges have been dropped. Here's how some NJ schools will teach sex education. Were getting numb to it, he added. The Maplewood teenager and a friend were shot as they were crossing a field near Clinton Elementary School after 9:30 p.m. At that point, Officer Miedico fired her weapon twice, striking and killing Courtemanche, according to officials. In April, about two blocks away, an employee of a convenience store near the high school was shot and killed. Shooter of Maplewood NJ teen Moussa Fofana sentenced to jail MORE NEWS | Actress Lisa Banes in critical condition after hit by scooter at Manhattan intersection, "As Columbia High School parents and members of our community, Marie and I are absolutely heartbroken," Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee said. No arrests have been made at this time, and the investigation is active and ongoing. There has been a growing concern about the spread of violence, not only in our community, but also across the nation, the superintendent of schools, AbdulSaleem Hasan, wrote Monday to parents. The other victim was shot in the leg. No one was injured. The plea agreement said that Hernandez will be sentenced to 15 years for aggravated manslaughter, 10 years for aggravated assault and five years for the weapons charges, all to run concurrently. Keep In Touch. "It was like they put cold water over my whole body," she said. Toshira Garraway talks during a news conference outside Maplewood City Hall on Tuesday, April 12, 2022. about the trauma experienced by her 16-year-old son after Maplewood police detained him and . "The hijab is much like any other article of clothing for a Muslim woman. Local police and fire officials responded to Lord Baron Apartments on Baron Park Lane along with Officers Robert Reyes and Officer Miedico, who were staging outside near their cruisers when Courtemanche, still on the phone, came outside toward the two officers wielding a 10-inch knife over his head. ALSO READ | Critically acclaimed 'Immersive Van Gogh' opening in NYC this month. Share & Bookmark Share & Bookmark, Press Enter to show all options, press Tab go to next option. Hawa Fofana pleaded with Essex County Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler to not accept the 15-year plea deal and to "do right by [her] son," who had his whole life ahead of him. District Attorney Ryans office began requesting inquests into fatal officer-involved shootings starting in December 2018 with the aim of ensuring a complete and unbiased review of such incidents. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply. Violent crime in East Orange declined by roughly 25 percent between 2017 and last year, according to the East Orange Police Department. Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. Justin A. Morris contributed reporting, and Susan C. Beachy contributed research. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. "We remain committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our schools, including providing anti-bias and anti-racism training for all educators in the district on a regular basis.". Fofana was looking forward to his second year as a varsity high school soccer player. But Im satisfied that under all the circumstances, this plea is fair and appropriate., Hawa Fofana, the victim's mother, had urged Wigler to order a stiffer sentence and "do right by [her] son," saying, "I can't sleep [] Life will never be the same.". Hawa Fofana said her world came crashing down around her when she received the phone call that her son had been shot. These babies are killing each other.. Moussa, 18, was dead. I'd love for her to apologize to my daughter, and then my daughter would feel better.". Police in Maplewood, New Jersey investigate unrelated house fire A man accused of fatally shooting a Maplewood teen last year has accepted a plea deal, according to the Essex County Prosecutors Office. Letrell Duncan, a 16-year-old high school sophomore, was shot and killed on Monday just after school let out for the day. Immediately before she fired the fatal shot, another officer fired a less-than-lethal shot at Courtemanche, but was unable to subdue him, according to officials. Calendar Maplewood Village Alliance Crime scene unit cars and police officers spent Monday investigating the death of 18-year-old Moussa Fofana, who was shot inside the Maplewood complex. MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A northern New Jersey community is mourning the loss of an 11th grade student who was fatally shot on his way to a friend's house. Family says daughter's 2nd-grade teacher pulled hijab off her head in Police recovered 44 shell casings at the scene, according to charges. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2 NJ towns investigating rash of armed robberies on same day The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations compared the alleged incident to "harassment" and "assault.". It happened just after 9:30 p.m. at Underhill Field on Garfield Place in Maplewood, and both victims are Columbia High School students. It was there he developed his all-consuming passion for soccer. Maplewood Shooting: HS Student Fatally Shot Near Soccer Field Where He "Now she's asked me, 'Well, if this is my protection, my teacher took this off of my head.' Hawa told The Record/NorthJersey.com last year. MAPLEWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A community is in mourning Monday after a New Jersey high school student was killed and another injured in a shooting Sunday night. "I can't sleep," Hawa Fofana said. Six incidents happened in Irvington with three. Friends said Fofana aspired to be a professional soccer player, adding that after school he often looked after his younger brother to help his mom, who owns a business in town. Cassandra Wyatt said she's always told her daughter that her hijab is her protection. A community is in mourning Monday after a New Jersey high school student was killed and another injured in a shooting Sunday night. The court heard testimony from 10 witnesses and reviewed 60 exhibits. This is a story about social media, misinformation, and what happens when people publicize rumors without any knowledge of or regard for the truth. Further investigation revealed that a house located on the 20 block of Hillview Drive also in Neptune Township was hosting a party where shots had been fired shortly before the fatal shooting took place on South Concourse. Investigators have been at the scene, the Underhill Sports Complex, since late Sunday night. WABC CNN One teenager was killed and another was injured in a shooting near a New Jersey school on Sunday night, according to Ronald Taylor, the superintendent of the South Orange &. High school student killed and another injured in shooting near - CNN 15,000 free turkey hoagies- get yours at noon on Arch Street between 5th and 6th. The shooting occurred around 9:30 p.m. Sunday at . 35/South Concourse. @traceytully, A version of this article appears in print on, Basketball Standout, 16, Is Shot and Killed in New Jersey, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/04/nyregion/nj-teen-letrell-duncan-killed.html. 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. But that dream was cut tragically short when he was killed walking to a friend's house on June 6, 2021. "I was shocked." Adding to the shock was the crime's setting: near the New Jersey. He must complete 85% of the 15 years, the judge told him. Officer Miedico tried to move away from Courtemanche, but she tripped and fell backward onto the ground, according to authorities. Anyone with information about the shooting 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. He didnt deserve this, she said about her nephew. She recalled his affection for his younger sister and her youngest son, who was about Letrells age and died years ago after being born with health problems. Stay up to date with everything Boston. The Village Green - of Maplewood and South Orange And even after this somebody is next. Letrell Duncan, a sophomore at East Orange Campus High School, was remembered as a team leader and a loving cousin and brother. In accordance with school policy, (the teacher) directed a student in her class to pull down the hood on what appeared to be a hooded sweatshirt because it was blocking her eyes - and immediately rescinded that request when she realized that the student was wearing the hood in place of, rather than on top of, her usual hijab. School and basketball.. Another student was also injured in the shooting, CBS2's Lisa Rozner reported Monday. MAPLEWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) -- Police in two New Jersey town are investigating a rash of armed robberies that all occurred on the same day. 18-year-old Moussa Fofana, a student at Columbia High School in Maplewood. MAPLEWOOD, N.J. -- A New Jersey family is expressing outrage after they say a teacher pulled the hijab off the head of a 7-year old Muslim girl. "Broke my heart, first time I heard it," school crossing guard Wilbert Pitt said. of two male . A police officer answered. Shots Fired Near Tiffany Place in Maplewood on 3/12, 3 Males All rights reserved. We are also keeping the other student who was injured in our thoughts. Will they avoid state discipline? Basketball Standout, 16, Is Shot and Killed in New Jersey Township News. Just after 9:30 p.m., neighbors heard gunshots. Muhammad became the first American Olympic athlete to wear a hijab during the 2016 Summer Games. Friends said Fofana took good care of his mother and his brother and they made him a better young man. Police have released more details about Tuesday's deadly shooting in Maplewood, the city's first in over a decade. Maplewood Events Calendar for June 30, 2023 - Patch 0:53. "It is incredibly disturbing. Restaurant Shooting In Maplewood As 3 Killed In NJ Gun Violence - Patch "Ultimately, the teacher succeeds in pulling the hijab off her head, followed by a bizarre statement which is, 'Your hair is beautiful,'" the attorney said. Hernandez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and a weapons violation in September, garnering an outpouring of scorn from both the fallen teen's family and community members, who found the 15-year sentence suggested by prosecutors and imposed by Judge Ronald Wigler on Wednesday too lenient. Fofana's father, Yasse, broke down in sobs when speaking to the court. A New Jersey community rallied for justice in the shooting death of a teenager. We want to hear from you! Every single time when I was stressed out, he'd walk up to me and he would just sit with me and he would talk to me about it. Maplewood Police Blotter - June 22, 2023 - June 28, 2023, TAPinto Newark Files Suit Against District For Withholding Public Info, Newark Honors Mercy House Director for Community Service, Open Government Advocates Blast Pending N.J. Public Records Bills, YMCAs Duck Race Brings Community Together to Impact Local Families. "Schools should be a haven for all of our kids to feel safe, welcome and protected -- no matter their faith.". June 8, 2021 / 10:10 AM He was a loved student, she said. MAPLEWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A community is in mourning Monday after a New Jersey high school student was killed and another injured in a shooting Sunday night. Nothing else. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. The 11th grader who died attended Columbia High School, and was a soccer star with an upbeat personality. Under the terms of the plea deal, Hernandez will spend 15 years in prison. A judge accepted a plea deal in connection with the murder of a standout high school soccer player despite outrage from a New Jersey community. First published on June 8, 2021 / 10:10 AM. June 8, 2021 / 10:10 AM / CBS New York MAPLEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A northern New Jersey community is mourning the loss of an 11th grade student who was fatally shot on his way to a. It is very, very, symbolic of disregard of her religion and certainly something that has affected my clients overall.". Fofana was a star soccer player at Columbia High School. After striking a deal with prosecutors, Yohan Hernandez, of Newark, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Moussa Fofana, a student at Columbia High School in Maplewood.