By: Richard L. Smith
A New York man has admitted to fatally shooting an Atlantic City resident during a robbery in a plea agreement that calls for him to spend decades behind bars, according to information released by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Howard Griswold, 26, of Baldwinsville, New York, pleaded guilty Wednesday before Superior Court Judge Christine Smith to first-degree aggravated manslaughter and first-degree armed robbery.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Griswold will be sentenced to an aggregate term of 25 years in New Jersey State Prison and will be required to serve 85 percent of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole under the state’s No Early Release Act.
During the plea hearing, Griswold admitted that on January 20, 2024, he shot and killed 32-year-old Christian Hunter of Atlantic City while committing a theft.
According to prosecutors, officers with the Atlantic City Police Department responded to North Virginia Avenue after receiving a ShotSpotter alert indicating two rounds had been fired.
Upon arrival, officers found Hunter suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died from his injuries.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage that captured a Nissan Rogue leaving the area shortly after the shooting.
Authorities determined the vehicle had been rented by Griswold’s co-defendant, Melissa Tikaram, 30, of Manlius, New York.
During the investigation, detectives recovered two 9mm shell casings from the scene. Prosecutors said forensic analysis linked those casings to a Glock 9mm handgun later recovered from the rented vehicle.
Investigators also obtained photographs showing Griswold holding the same firearm, identifiable by its serial number.
The case was investigated jointly by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police Department.
Tikaram’s case remains pending, and the charges against her have not yet been resolved.