Maplewood Mayor Gives Update On Investigation Into Teen's Death

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee released a message Friday about an ongoing investigation into the shooting death of local high school junior Moussa Fofana. Fofana, 18, was shot to death by an unknown assailant on his high school's athletic complex the night of Sunday, June 6.

McGehee said Friday:

"First and foremost I want to be clear that this is very much an active investigation. There has not been a stoppage, slow down or delay in any efforts to find the actor/actors responsible for this horrific and senseless act.

"It is a top priority for the Essex County Prosecutor Office (ECPO) as well as the Maplewood Police Department.

"I have been in daily contact with our Chief of Police on this matter. I have been in nearly daily contact with Hawa [Fofana] and her family.

"I have been in frequent contact with [Prosecutor] Theodore Stevens, head of the ECPO and his team. As for the information being provided to Moussa's family, I have reached out to Mr. Stevens and have requested an enhanced cadence even if the information is redundant.

"Regarding the investigation itself, the ECPO is using a wide range of channels both physical and technical in their ongoing efforts. I have been assured that 'all leads will be exhausted.' And while I recognize that we all want the same thing, justice for Moussa, as well as frequent updates, please understand that neither law enforcement nor I can communicate anything prematurely that would compromise the outcome of this investigation.

"Again I want to re-emphasize to the community that we can all do our part by providing any information that we are aware of from the night of June 6th or anything that has been communicated to you about that night. Please call our confidential hotline: 877-TIPS-4EC."

Rally Was Held Wednesday

On Wednesday, friends and family remembered the teen and demanded answers at a rally at Columbia High School. So far, no suspects have been made public. READ MORE: Rally Held For Slain Maplewood Teen

"The 6th of June; that was the day of my nightmare," Fofana's mother Hawa said Wednesday at an evening rally near Columbia High School, which serves Maplewood and South Orange. "It’s still a nightmare. I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. ... We’re here today because this beautiful boy has passed on and we have not had justice since. We want justice for this beautiful boy. I walk around the house trying to put this puzzle together. Maplewood, South Orange, I need everybody to put this puzzle for me. This is a puzzle that one parent cannot build."

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office, which is investigating the case as a homicide, has announced a reward fund for information that will lead to the identification of those responsible. Former Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta and others have raised donations that bring the reward to $44,237. READ MORE: Reward Offered In Death Of Maplewood Teen

Fofana and another student from the high school were walking through the sports complex on that Sunday evening when they were both shot, Fofana fatally. Friends have said the pair may have been heading to another friend's house to watch a boxing match.

Since then, no suspects or motive have been made public, and there have been no arrests as of this writing.

"It makes no sense," said longtime friend Zebrai Nakyah Carlisle. "He was such a beautiful person. This should never have happened. Why was such a beautiful, innocent life taken away from us? It makes no sense ... that some people here know what happened and aren't talking. If that is you, shame on you."

Other speakers Wednesday included Rich Pompelio, founder of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center, there to explain how anonymous tip lines work and the importance of providing the Fofana family with justice; Former Mayor Profeta to announce the new amount for the “Justice for Moussa Reward Fund” he started, and a representative of the family’s mosque.

A video of the rally is here.

Columbia High School, which Fofana attended, serves students from Maplewood and neighboring South Orange.

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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