For Immediate Release 

Thursday, April 19, 201, East Orange, NJ: Mayor Ted R. Green and Director of Public Safety Sheilah Coley were joined today by other city legislators and public safety officials to announce the arrest of an individual in the homicide of Karamoko Fatiga, a well-known deliveryman for a local Chinese restaurant in East Orange. Members of the victim’s family were also in attendance. 

A 17-year old male has been charged with felony murder, murder, robbery and weapons offenses for the April 2, 2018 murder of Fatiga, who was killed in the vicinity of 156 Shepard Avenue in the Third Ward. The defendant’s name is being withheld because he is a juvenile. 

“Mr. Fatiga was a hardworking, beloved member of our community whose tragic and senseless murder has ignited a deep sense of mourning and outrage across our city,” said Mayor Green. “As someone who has grown up here in East Orange and walks these neighborhood streets every day, I was personally heartbroken to learn of Mr. Fatiga’s killing. No one in our city should feel unsafe, least of all those who go out every day and work hard to support their families and give back to the community. My administration remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that East Orange remains a safe place for everyone in our city and community to live and work.” 

Fatiga is East Orange’s first homicide victim of 2018. East Orange has seen a 20% drop in overall crime. Violent crime is down 33 percent. The East Orange Police Department will graduate 24 new police recruits in June; twelve sergeants and 4 captains were promoted in April. 

“Working with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the East Orange Police Division spared no resources in bringing this terrible incident to a swift resolution,” said Director Coley. “Our message to potential criminals is clear: If you commit a crime, there will be nowhere to hide. Investing in our personnel and technology will continue to remain at the forefront of our efforts to keep East Orange safe.”   

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