Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez Announced that on Friday, at approximately 9:50 p.m., Me. Tyree Witherspoon, 28, of Jersey City, was arrested by the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit in connection with the shooting death of 21-year-old Akim Ward on April 4, 2020 in Jersey City.
According to a statement released by Prosecute Suarez, in the second arrest of this homicide, Witherspoon was taken into custody without incident on Stevens Avenue in Jersey City.
Authorities Witherspoon charged him with Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, a first-degree crime; Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, a second-degree crime; and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, a second-degree crime.
According to authorities said, on Saturday, April 4, shortly after 3:15 p.m., members of the Jersey City Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the area of Ocean Avenue between Bidwell and Bayview avenues in Jersey City.
Responding officers found Mr. Akim Ward, age 21, of Jersey City with gunshot wounds to the upper body. Ward was transported to Jersey City Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Prosecutor Suarez said the cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds and the Manner of death was determined to be homicide.
On May 4, members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Unit arrested and similarly charged Devon Tutten, age 23, of Jersey City, in connection with the murder of Akim Ward according to Prosecutor Suarez.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit and the Jersey City Police Department.
Following his arrest, Witherspoon was transported to the Hudson County Correctional Facility in Kearny pending his First Appearance.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C.3.6(b)(6).