Five alleged members and associates of a neighborhood-based Jersey City gang were charged for their roles in two gang-related shootings, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
According to U.S. Attorney Sellinger, Shaquan Rush, 21; Darby Shirden, 21; and Jeremy Perez, 23, all of Jersey City, are each charged by complaint with murder in aid of racketeering, attempted murder in aid of racketeering, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.
Devon Tutten, 24; and Tyree Witherspoon, 29, both of Jersey City, were also each charged with murder in aid of racketeering and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, U.S. Attorney Sellinger said.
According to the complaint:
Rush, Shirden, Perez, Tutten, and Witherspoon are all associated with neighborhood-based street gangs in Jersey City – specifically, a street gang that operates in the area of Rutgers Avenue and Triangle Park.
On April 1, 2020, in retaliation for the murder of a high-ranking Rutgers Avenue gang member on March 31, 2020, Rush, Shirden, and Perez traveled to the territory of rival gang members that associate with the Salem Lafayette Apartments and opened fire on a group of people on the street.
Two victims were shot: one individual associated with the Salem Lafayette street gang and a 17-year-old girl who was walking down the street.
The girl died the following day as a result of her gunshot wound.
On April 4, 2020, in retaliation for an attempted shooting on April 3 2020, Tutten and Witherspoon traveled to the territory of rival gang members that associate with Wilkinson Avenue and opened fire on a group of people on the street.
An individual associated with the Wilkinson street gang was shot in the head and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
This investigation was conducted as part of the Jersey City Violent Crime Initiative (VCI).
The VCI was formed in 2018 by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Jersey City Police Department for the sole purpose of combatting violent crime in and around Jersey City.
As part of this partnership, federal, state, county, and city agencies collaborate to strategize and prioritize the prosecution of violent offenders who endanger the safety of the community.