NJ brothers charged with killing a grandmother at her birthday celebration

Two New Jersey brothers have been charged with the homicide of a grandmother who was shot as she celebrated her birthday on her entrance porch in Newark final yr, officers introduced Monday.

Jonathan Ritchie, 21 and his brother Josiah Ritchie, 19, each of Newark, are additionally dealing with weapons costs over the March 11, 2021 dying of Debra Derrick, 63, in response to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Workplace.

Derrick, a former nursing assistant at Newark Beth Israel Medical middle, was on her entrance porch releasing balloons to rejoice her birthday and the birthday of her late twin sister when she was shot, officers mentioned.

A Prosecutor’s Workplace spokesperson confirmed that Derrick was not the meant goal, NJ.com reported.

Ramona Derrick, one other certainly one of Derrick’s sisters, informed the outlet final yr that the grandmother was killed as she rushed to protect her grandchildren from the gunfire.

The 2 brothers, who lived with their mom and stepfather, are initially from Guyana and had beforehand lived in Atlanta, prosecutors mentioned.

Each are at present held on the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.