FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:  Raymond Worrall

PHONE:  (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737

EMAIL:  rworrall@hcpo.org

DATE:  Saturday, May 9, 2020

SECOND MAN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER OF 21-YEAR-OLD JERSEY CITY MAN

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

On Friday, May 8, 2020, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Tyree Witherspoon, age 28, of Jersey City, was arrested by the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Akim Ward on April 4, 2020 in Jersey City. Witherspoon was arrested without incident on Stevens Avenue in Jersey City. This is the second arrest connected to this murder.

Witherspoon has been charged with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, a second-degree crime; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, a second-degree crime. Following his arrest, Witherspoon was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny pending his First Appearance.

On Saturday, April 4, 2020, shortly after 3:15 p.m., members of the Jersey City Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Ocean Avenue between Bidwell and Bayview avenues in Jersey City.

Responding officers found Akim Ward, age 21, of Jersey City with gunshot wounds to the upper body. Ward was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:30 p.m. The Cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds and the Manner of death was determined to be homicide.

On May 4, 2020, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit arrested and similarly charged Devon Tutten, age 23, of Jersey City, in connection with the murder of Akim Ward.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department.

The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).