At Vigil For Slain Maplewood Teen, Community Seeks Answers

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — As dozens of Maplewood and South Orange community members gathered on Saturday night in Maplewood to mourn a beloved teen who was shot to death a little over a week ago, some asked why no information has been released about suspects.

"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."

A parent wrote after the vigil, "I learned so much about this high school junior, pro-soccer aspiring, loving respectful son, role model older brother, caring friend, always offering a walk home at night to whomever he wanted to protect."

But community members responding to Sheena Collum's post had questions.

"We need comprehensive and frequent updates," said one woman. "The radio silence is deafening."

"I don’t understand," said another. "There were people there…why the silence?"

'There Have Been No Arrests'

On Friday afternoon, Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly told Patch that there were still no suspects in custody in connection with the killing. He commented, "The investigation is active and ongoing. There have been no arrests at this point." READ MORE: Vigil Planned For Maplewood Teen Who Was Killed On School Field

A week ago Sunday, Fofana and another student at Columbia High School in Maplewood were shot by an unknown assailant at the school's athletic complex. Friends told CBS News that the pair was likely passing through that complex, Underhill Field — located about a mile from the high school — on the way to watch a boxing match at a friend's house.

Fofana was a junior at the high school, which serves the communities of Maplewood and South Orange. He 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.

The other student suffered from "non-life-threatening" wounds, officials said. READ MORE: 'Loss For The World': Maplewood Shooting Victim Mourned

Student Praised And Missed

A GoFundMe fundraising campaign started by a soccer teammate of Fofana has raised more than $120,000.

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."

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