Maplewood Shooting: Police ID Teen Fatally Shot (UPDATED)

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Authorities in Maplewood are still investigating an incident in which an 18-year-old Columbia High School senior was shot to death on the school's ball fields Sunday and a 17-year-old student was injured.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens and Maplewood Police Chief Jim Duval said Monday that the incident is being investigated as a homicide, and no arrests had been made.

The 18-year-old was identified as Moussa Fofana. The Essex County Proescutor's Office said the 17-year-old student had a "non-life-threatening" gunshot wound. READ MORE: 'Loss To The World': Maplewood Shooting Victim Mourned

Officials have not disclosed why the two teens were at the Underhill Field sports complex, a little under a mile from the high school. A New York Times report Monday night said that Fofana's mother was not sure why her son was there, and that a friend called to tell her he had been shot. When she called her son's cell phone to reach him, a police officer answered.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force has been assigned to investigate.

At approximately 9:38 pm on Sunday, Stephens said, Maplewood police officers were dispatched to area of Underhill Field on reports of a shooting. The athletic field serves Columbia High School in Maplewood, but is located .8 miles from the school.

Arriving officers located Fofana, suffering from a gunshot wound. The Maplewood teenager was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:24 p.m.

Anyone with more 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.

Fofana played soccer for Columbia High School in the fall.

Governor And Mayor Comment

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy addressed the shooting death at the start of his press briefing on Monday.

"I'm not up on the exact details, but just want to acknowledge the tragedy that occurred in Maplewood [Sunday] evening in which an 18-year-old lost his life and a 17-year-old was injured," he said. "It's another case of gun violence in our midst, and please keep him and his memory and their families in your prayers."

Maplewood Mayor Frank McGehee also commented Monday afternoon.

"While I cannot comment formally on an ongoing investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office," he said, "I have been actively involved in conversations with our Maplewood Police Department and our local school district leaders since Sunday evening. As Columbia High School parents and members of our community, Marie and I are absolutely heartbroken."

He added, "Our prayers go out to Moussa's family, friends, teammates, classmates, the entire CHS community, our Maplewood-South Orange community and everyone impacted by this senseless and devastating loss due to gun violence. We are also keeping the other student who was injured in our thoughts. While there are still so many unanswered questions, we ask that everyone respect both family's privacy at this very difficult time."

Superintendent's Comments

Acting Prosecutor Fennelly and South Orange-Maplewood Schools Superintendent Ronald Taylor (whose letter from Monday morning is below) did not give further information about the students. But school Principal Frank Sanchez identified Fofana as an 11th grader, according to a report in Village Green.

Superintendent Taylor said Monday, "It is with a very heavy heart that we confirm there was a shooting last night with multiple victims at Underhill. One person was killed and at least one other was wounded. Tragically, the police have verified that both victims were Columbia High School students."

He added, "We have activated our emergency protocols to provide mental health support for Columbia High School, Maplewood Middle and Clinton Elementary. ... We are activating the County Grief Counseling Services via the Traumatic Loss Coalition, to support our students and staff."

The athletic field for Columbia High School is approximately .8 miles from the high school and closer to one of the elementary schools in town.

Taylor said some events and procedures around the high school and nearby elementary school are changed for now:

• All activities at Underhill field are canceled while the investigation proceeds.
• Due to the proximity of Underhill to Clinton Elementary School and the ongoing police investigation taking place, all outdoor activities at Clinton will be canceled for the day (and/or take place indoors where necessary).
• The staff retiree celebration scheduled for Monday evening is postponed.

Monday, the Board of Education Tweeted:

Superintendent Taylor wrote, "At this time, out of respect for the family and due to the ongoing nature of the police investigation, we are unable to share the names of the affected students. We offer our sincere condolences to the family in their time of need."

The South-Orange Maplewood district is one of the more desired districts among families moving from New York City to the suburbs (read more). The district was on all-remote learning until the last few months, a situation that frustrated some parents (read more).

Here is Superintendent Taylor's full letter:

Dear South Orange & Maplewood School Community,

It is with a very heavy heart that we confirm there was a shooting last night with multiple victims at Underhill. One person was killed and at least one other was wounded. Tragically, the police have verified that both victims were Columbia High School students.

This inconceivable calamity is undoubtedly a devastating blow to our students, staff and community. I have been in direct contact with Police Chief Duval, Mayor McGeehee, Principal Sanchez, Principal Gronau and Principal Connors.

We have activated our emergency protocols to provide mental health support for Columbia High School, Maplewood Middle and Clinton Elementary. We are in close communication with the authorities. The District will provide updated information to staff and the District families as it is received. Until such time as information is received, we are making preparations for addressing the needs of our students, staff and families. I have notified our County Executive Superintendent of Schools and we are activating the County Grief Counseling Services via the Traumatic Loss Coalition, to support our students and staff.

With this devastating news, I have confirmed with our Board of Education that the retiree celebration scheduled for this evening will be canceled and postponed to a later date. Also, all activities at Underhill field are canceled while the investigation proceeds. In addition, due to the proximity of Underhill to Clinton Elementary School and the ongoing police investigation taking place, all outdoor activities at Clinton will be canceled for the day (and/or take place indoors where necessary).

At this time, out of respect for the family and due to the ongoing nature of the police investigation, we are unable to share the names of the affected students. We offer our sincere condolences to the family in their time of need. We will follow up with additional communication as we receive clearance from the local law enforcement and the family.

Sincerely,Dr. Ronald G. TaylorSouth Orange & Maplewood School District, Board of Education

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