Man Charged 6 Months After Deadly Franklin Shooting

FRANKLIN, NJ — A New Brunswick man has been charged with the shooting death of Franklin Township 30-year-old David D. Anderson following a six month investigation, authorities said.

Najee K. Croom aka "Na Murder," 27, of Wright Place, New Brunswick was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor announced.

The shooting happened on Saturday, May 18 at about 11 p.m. when a 911 call was received by the Franklin Township Police, according to the release.

The call reported that one person, later identified as Anderson, was shot multiple times in the area of 94 Matilda Ave. in Franklin Township, the release said.

Further information revealed that the fatal shooting occurred during a large gathering at Naaman Williams Park. Anderson was taken by a civilian to an area hospital where he died from his injuries while undergoing emergency treatment, Robertson said.

Numerous witnesses were interviewed during the six-month investigation by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit and the Franklin Township Police Department which resulted in the arrest.

Croom was already in jail at the Middlesex County Corrections Center since May 29 on unrelated charges stemming from Middlesex County. Croom will remain at the MCCC pending a detention hearing.

Croom had also been previously been charged with second-degree possession of a handgun and fourth-degree possession of hollow point ammunition in December 2014 by the SCPO.

Anyone with information relating to this homicide is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at 732-873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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