NJ Man ‘Gunned Down’ Fellow Newark Resident, Found Guilty: Prosecutor

NEWARK, NJ — A 31-year-old man was convicted of murder after he “gunned down” a fellow Newark resident and fled the scene in a stolen car, prosecutors announced this week.

Ryan Mwangi was found guilty of murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Kenneth Thomas, 31, of Newark, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The shooting took place in May 2019. Here’s what happened, prosecutors said:

“On May 13, 2019, Thomas, 31, of Newark, was gunned down while sitting in his car on Renner Avenue in Newark. Thomas suffered eight gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene. Mwangi fled the scene in a stolen BMW.”

After an investigation, authorities apprehended Mwangi and charged him with several criminal offenses, including first-degree murder. Mwangi was also convicted of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Mwangi is scheduled to be sentenced on March 22. He faces 30 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.

Authorities noted that Mwangi has two additional open cases in Essex County: one for attempted murder and weapons offenses, and another for simple assault. He has prior felony convictions for aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.