A Plainfield man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in Plainfield on Friday afternoon, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Plainfield Police Director James T. Abney announced Sunday.
County officials said Mr. Haneef Welch, 32, has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose in connection with the death of Eric C. Williams, 50, of Plainfield.
According to Union County officials, shortly before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, members of the Plainfield Police Department responded to the intersection of Johnston Ave and Front Street in Plainfield, and found Williams at that location, having sustained injury.
He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Cleaver, who is prosecuting the case.
An investigation led by the Union County Homicide Task Force, and assisted by the Plainfield Police Department, the Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and the Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit resulted in the identification of Welch as a suspect.
Welch was taken into custody without incident Friday evening and is currently lodged in the Union County Jail pending a first appearance.
Anyone with information about this matter is still urged to contact Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force Sergeant Christopher Scuorzo at 908-472-0492, Detective Ryan Kirsh at 908-347-1420, or Plainfield Police Detective Ilyas Muhammadat 908-753-3531.