Newark Man Charged With Murdering Maplewood Teen Moussa Fofana

NEWARK, NJ —A Newark man was arrested Thursday and charged with the June 6 murder of a Maplewood teen Moussa Fofana, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Maplewood Police Department announced Friday.

Yohan Hernandez, 20, was charged with murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection to the shooting death of the 18-year-old Fofana, who was a junior at Columbia High School in Maplewood at the time of his death.

The arrest comes following an investigation led by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force with assistance from the Maplewood Police Department, Essex County Sheriff's Department and FBI.

A reward fund for information into Fofana's death had reportedly reached $50,000, though police did not indicate if anybody will receive the reward.

According to police reports, Maplewood officers were called to the scene in the area of Underhill Field on Garfield Place in Maplewood at approximately 9:38 p.m. on June 6, where they found Fofana and another male suffering from gunshot wounds. Fofana was pronounced dead at the scene. The second male was treated at an area hospital for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Friends have said the pair may have been crossing through the field to get to another friend's house to watch a boxing match.

Friends described Fofana as a hard-working teen who dreamed of playing professional soccer. His death caused an outpouring of grief and a call for justice as friends and family gathered for a rally and march at Columbia High on June 30.

Though a suspect has been arrested, authorities said the investigation remains active and ongoing and have requested that anyone with information contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. Calls will be kept confidential, authorities said.