Crime & Safety

Mother Of Slain Maplewood Teen Announces Reward, Will Lead Rally

A reward for information about suspects in the shooting death of Maplewood NJ high school junior Moussa Fofana has grown to $30K.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Hawa Fofana, the mother of Maplewood high school junior Moussa Fofana — who was shot to death on the school's athletic field the night of June 6 — will lead a rally this Wednesday and announce a reward fund for information.

The rally will take place at 6 p.m. at Ritzer Field at Columbia High School, followed by a march leading the .8 miles to the entrance of Underhill Sports Complex, where Fofana was shot.

Fofana will call for people to come forward with information that will lead to the identification of those responsible for Fofana’s death.

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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 they may have been heading to another friend's house to watch a boxing match. No suspects are in custody, and no motive has been announced. READ MORE: At Vigil For Maplewood Teen, Community Seeks Answers

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office initially announced a $10,000 reward for information in the case. Former Maplewood Mayor Fred Profeta raised more, bringing the total to $30,000.

Find out what's happening in Maplewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Other speakers Wednesday will include:

  • A representative of the family’s mosque
  • Zebrai Nakyah Carlisle, a friend of Fofana
  • Rich Pompelio, founder of the New Jersey Crime Victims’ Law Center, who will explain how anonymous tip lines work and the importance of providing the Fofana family with justice
  • Former Mayor Profeta, who will announce a new amount for the “Justice for Moussa Reward Fund” he started

Columbia High School serves students from Maplewood and neighboring South Orange.

READ MORE: At Vigil For Slain Maplewood Teen Moussa Fofana, Community Seeks Answers

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