NJ corrections officer charged with murder in Newark shooting death

Nicholas Katzban
NorthJersey.com

A New Jersey Department of Corrections officer has been charged, along with three other suspects, in the shooting death of a Newark resident in March, according to prosecutors.

Al-Fatin Grant, 22, of Newark, a correctional police officer, was charged last month with the murder of Michael Wyche, 30, who was shot in the New Community Corporation Housing Complex parking lot on Hayes Street in Newark.

On Friday and Saturday, investigators arrested three more men in connection with Wyche's death.

Al-Fatin Grant, a correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, was arrested last month and charged with the murder of a 30-year-old outside a public housing complex.

Scott Banks, 32, of Irvington, was charged with murder, attempted murder, conspiracy and weapons charges, prosecutors stated.

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Meanwhile, Trevon Ellis, 27, and Ahmad Fields, 31, both of Newark, were charged with conspiracy.

"In these times, law enforcement is facing intense scrutiny," Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens stated as he congratulated the agencies that worked together to bring Grant into custody. "Any allegation of a violation of the public trust is more damaging today than ever.’’

Grant, who works at the Northern State Prison in Newark, has been suspended from the state Department of Corrections pending the outcome of his expected trial, according to the prosecutor's office.

Nicholas Katzban is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: katzban@northjersey.com Twitter: @nicholaskatzban