Teen Involved In Union Co. Shooting Linked To Westfield Robbery: Police

WESTFIELD, NJ — A 19-year-old boy who was previously charged for his involvement with burglaries in Westfield and Cranford, was arrested after attempting to shoot and kill a Union County man last April, according to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney.

Raheim Morgan of Dunellen, along with two other gunmen, was involved in a shooting in Plainfield on April 26. The Union County Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that the three men were arrested.

Authorities also linked Morgan to a Dec. 17 residential burglary on Karen Terrace in Westfield and a car theft on Walnut Avenue in Cranford, a spokesperson for the prosecutor's office told Tapinto.

Morgan, as well as 19-year-olds Ja'Son Spann of Plainfield and Demetrius Stephens of Piscataway, were all charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose and third-degree receiving stolen property.

The three gunmen, driving a stolen vehicle in the area of Liberty and West 4th Streets, fired a total of 35 rounds at a Plainfield man last April. The man was able to take cover during the attack and was unharmed. On the scene, Plainfield Police officers found numerous shell spent casings and discovered that several homes and vehicles has been struck by gunfire.

An investigation by Plainfield Detectives led to the identification of the three men and their subsequent arrests. They are all currently in Essex County Jail awaiting their next court appearances.

“I am grateful to all of the Plainfield Detectives who worked on this case for their dedication throughout this investigation,” Prosecutor Daniel said. “Together with our partner law enforcement agencies, our untiring effort to curb violence on our streets and positively impact the communities we serve continues.”

This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information about this matter or these suspects is urged to contact Plainfield Police Detective Ilyas Muhammad at (908) 753 -3531.