MAPLEWOOD, NJ — With no suspects in custody after the shooting death of Maplewood teenager Moussa Fofana after almost two weeks, Essex County officials are offering a $10,000 reward for information.
The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers Program is offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of Fofana, 18, who was a soccer star and member of the junior class at Columbia High School in Maplewood.
At approximately 9:38 p.m. on Sunday, June 6, Maplewood police officers were dispatched to the area of Underhill Field, the district’s athletic complex, on reports of a shooting. Officers located Fofana suffering from a gunshot wound.
Fofana was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:24 p.m. A second teen was treated at an area hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.
The investigation is being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Maplewood Police Department. But as of Thursday, there have been no arrests.
Dozens of Maplewood and South Orange community members gathered last Saturday night to mourn Fofana, and many asked why no information has been released about suspects.
Classmates told CBS News that the two teens were likely passing through that Underhill Field — located about a mile from the high school — on the way to watch a boxing match at a friend’s house.
“It’s been very difficult week for our South Orange and Maplewood communities processing the loss of CHS student, Moussa Fofana,” wrote South Orange Village President Sheena Collum on Sunday. “At last night’s vigil, so many of our youth and members of the Fofana family were wearing shirts with his picture on the front and ‘Justice for Moussa’ on the back. We also heard from a representative of the family asking/pleading for anyone with information to please come forward.”
Fofana has been praised as a hard-working soccer player who cared about his family, especially his mother. He was born in New York, lived in Liberia for several years before returning to the area, and started classes in the South Orange-Maplewood district in 2014.
A GoFundMe fundraising campaign started by a soccer teammate of Fofana has raised more than $125,000.
One person posted on the GoFundMe: “My mom & I work as paraprofessionals & have been in some classes with Moussa over the past few years. He was always smiling & making everyone laugh. He was kind, smart, respectful, hard-working, & funny. His bright smile & personality will truly be missed. CHS won’t be the same without Moussa. We want to send our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time. We are praying that you find peace, strength, and healing.”
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.
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