Passaic County and Newark officials announced that based upon an investigation by the Paterson Police Department, Abriyah Griffin, 25-years-old from Newark, and Lakenya Griffin, 31-years-old from Minersville, Pennsylvania, were arrested in relation to a shooting investigation that took place November 6, in the area of Wait Street and Wood Street in Paterson.
According to Paterson officials, Abriyah Griffin and Lakenya Griffin are both charged with Attempted Murder, First Degree, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Second Degree, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Second Degree. Abriyah Griffin is also charged with Terroristic Threats, Third Degree.
Paterson Police say, on November 6, at approximately 3:41 a.m., members of the department were advised of a shooting that had occurred earlier that evening in the area of Wait Street and Wood Street in Paterson.
According to Paterson Police, shortly thereafter, officers were advised by members of the Newark Police Department that Abriyah Griffin and Lakenya Griffin had been detained in the area of Seymour Avenue and West Runyon Street in Newark, after a motor vehicle stop.
Police say based on the investigation, the department determined that, after a verbal dispute in the area of Wait Street and Wood Street in Paterson, Abriyah Griffin handed Lakenya Griffin a handgun and instructed her to shoot the victim, a 31-year-old female Paterson, resident.
According to Newark officials, Lakenya Griffin fired the handgun in the direction of the victim, who was not struck by gunfire.
Newark Police say, following the shooting, the victim fled in a motor vehicle, and the suspects followed her in a separate vehicle until members of the Newark Police Department detained them.
Newark officials say, the sentencing exposure for Abriyah Griffin and Lakenya Griffin on First Degree Attempted Murder is 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison with 85% of the term to be served before parole eligibility pursuant to the No Early Release Act and five years parole supervision; on Second Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison; on Second Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, it is 5-10 years New Jersey State Prison.
According to Newark officials, four Third Degree Terroristic Threats, Abriyah Griffin, is facing an additional 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.
The State has filed motions for pretrial detention for Abriyah Giffin and Lakenya Griffin that a Superior Court Judge will hear.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.
Despite this accusation, defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.