FRANKLIN TWP – Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson and Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor announced additional charges on Mr. Najee K. Croom, 27, of Wright Place, New Brunswick in relation to an aggravated assault investigation.
According to a statement released by authorities, Prosecutor Robertson stated that while investigating the shooting death of David D. Anderson, which occurred at approximately 11:00 p.m. on May 18, , during a large gathering in Naaman Williams Park in Franklin Township, the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Franklin Township Police Department Detective Bureau obtained further information which revealed that approximately one hour before Anderson’s death, which defendant Croom was recently charged with the following offenses 1st degree Murder, 2nd degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, defendant Croom used a handgun to strike a female victim in the face in Franklin Township.
Authorities say, the assault with the handgun resulted in bleeding and bruising on the adult female victim, whom authorities are not identifying. Detectives are continuing the investigation into the circumstances leading up to the aggravated assault and the homicide. A motive has not been released.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that as a result of this investigation, on November 29th defendant Croom was charged with 2nd-degree Aggravated Assault, 2nd-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and 3rd-degree Aggravated Assault. Defendant Croom remains lodged in the Middlesex County Corrections Center on both Middlesex and Somerset County charges.
Defendant Croom will remain lodged pending a detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson and Chief Fodor request anyone with information relating to this homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533