By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that Howard Griswold, 24, of Baldwinsville, NY, and Melissa Tikarem, 28, of Manlius, NY, were indicted by an Atlantic County Grand Jury for murder and accompanying charges for the January 20, 2024, death of Christian Hunter, 32, from Atlantic City, NJ.
Officials stated that on January 20, 2024, at approximately 7:19 p.m., the Atlantic City Police Department received a ShotSpotter alert for multiple gunshots in the area of 119 N. Virginia Avenue.
Officers arrived at the scene and located Hunter unresponsive on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds, officials say.
According to officials, he was transported to the AtlantiCare Medical Center, City Division, where he was pronounced deceased.
Officials said a subsequent autopsy procedure performed by the New Jersey South Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was a gunshot wound, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide.
When he was found, officials say, Mr. Hunter’s pockets had been turned out, and his cell phone was missing.
Surveillance captured the victim leaving his house and walking a short distance away, officials stated.
Officials said surveillance then recorded the sound of two gunshots followed by a male voice saying, “Give me that shit," and shortly thereafter, a Nissan Rogue fled the scene where Mr. Hunter’s body was found.
Authorities say the Nissan was registered to Melissa Tikaram.
Officials say Tikaram was recorded on surveillance driving the Nissan following the murder, as well as having a passenger in the car with her.
Friends of the victim called his phone after he had been killed, and it was answered by a man later identified as Howard Griswold, officials stated.
Officials said Griswold was staying in a room registered to Melissa Tikaram at Resorts Hotel & Casino.
According to officials, the Nissan seen fleeing the scene of the murder was also found in the Resorts parking lot.
Phone records indicate that Tikaram was in contact with the victim immediately prior to his being shot, officials say.
Officials stated phone records also indicate an ongoing relationship between Tikaram and Griswold.