East Orange Man Attacked Construction Workers In Newark, Found Guilty

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An East Orange resident has been convicted of aggravated assault after he attacked three construction workers in Newark at gunpoint nearly three years ago, prosecutors recently announced.

An Essex County jury convicted Thomas Johnson, 31, of East Orange, of aggravated assault and weapons charges in connection with the gunpoint assault, which took place on the 600-block of South 14th Street in Newark on the morning of Nov. 2, 2021.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, here’s what happened that day:

“Johnson followed the three construction workers from Home Depot at 399-443 Springfield Avenue to their job site in his car. Two of the workers were unloading their supplies when Johnson approached them holding a handgun. A third worker was on the roof at the time. Johnson kicked down ladder, leaving him stranded on the roof. Johnson then proceeded to pistol-whip one of the victims and fired at the victims about four times, damaging their truck.”

Prosecutors said Johnson was identified by a witness on the scene. Cell phone evidence and surveillance video from Home Depot and the crime scene also helped to identify him as the suspect.

Jury deliberations began on Oct. 30 and ended Oct. 31. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2025, prosecutors said.

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