Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that an Essex County jury convicted Al Rashim Chambers of aggravated manslaughter for fatally shooting Rajaee Montgomery, 22, of Newark.
Officials say following a six-day trial before the Honorable John Zunic, Judge of the Superior Court, Chambers, 32, of Irvington was also convicted of aggravated assault against a woman, who was also shot but survived, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.
The shooting occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m. on May 27, 2017 in the 300 block of Fairmont Avenue in Newark.
Two days prior to the fatal shooting the victim had a car towed that had been registered in his name because the person using the vehicle was racking up unpaid parking tickets according to officials.
Officials say the defendant had a member of the victim’s family ask the victim to come to his grandparents’ home.
Outside the grandparents’ home Chambers ambushed Montgomery. The second victim, who had children with her, scurried to get away sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“This was a senseless killing of a good young man during an argument over a $2,500 car,” said Assistant Prosecutor Cara Smith, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor John Anderson.
Chambers has three prior convictions. He was convicted of eluding in 2015, aggravated assault in 2008 and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in 2007. In 2012, he was acquitted of murdering Victoria Carmen White.
Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for Aug. 26.