FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
TWITTER: @HCPOProsecutor
WEB: hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org
DATE: Tuesday, July 25, 2017
MAN WANTED ON MURDER CHARGES ARRESTED IN UPSTATE N.Y.
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:
On July 20, 2017, officers from the Massena Police Department in upstate New York arrested Keshawn Sparkman, age 20, of Jersey City, on a warrant issued on July 13, 2017, by a Superior Court Judge in Hudson County. The warrant charges Sparkman with the murder of Rasasim Foster, age 28, of Jersey City on July 3, 2017, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime.
Sparkman was also charged with Possession of a Firearm (shotgun) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4, a second degree crime; and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm (shotgun) in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-5, a second degree crime. He is currently in custody at the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility awaiting extradition to Hudson County, N.J.
Prosecutor Suarez credited Sparkman’s arrest to officers of the Massena Police Department. She also credited the Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit with the investigation which led to the warrant being issued for the arrest of Sparkman.
On July 3, at approximately 10:50 p.m., Jersey City Police Officers were dispatched to the area of 262 Clinton Avenue in Jersey City on a report of possible gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive male victim on the ground at that location.
The victim, later identified as Foster, had apparent multiple gunshot wounds to his torso. He was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 11:05 p.m. The Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death to be homicide.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/ . All information will be kept confidential.
The above charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).