Johnson
NEWBURGH – Nija Johnson, the 17-year-old Newburgh resident wanted
in the shooting deaths of Tabitha Cruz and Omani Cruz during a Halloween
party, is being held in Richmond, Virginia where he was arrested last
Friday afternoon. He is awaiting extradition proceedings to bring him
back to Orange County to face the charges.
Johnson fled the area after the incident in which five other people were
wounded. A coordinated effort by Newburgh City Police, New York State
Police, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Richmond Police
and Richmond area FBI, led to the arrest of Johnson, who was located inside
a private residence in the City of Richmond.
Police have not disclosed if they have a motive for the shootings,
The man, who rented the space he uses for his business for the party told
Mid-Hudson News last week that the gathering appeared to be orderly with
no problems until the gunfire rang out and his friend pulled him to the
floor.
