LINDEN, N.J. – Four men and two juveniles have been arrested in connection with a 2023 downtown Linden shooting, concluding a two-year investigation that uncovered efforts by the suspects to conceal their involvement and mislead law enforcement, police announced.
In the early morning hours of May 21, Linden Police Detectives executed arrest warrants with assistance from the Union County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Squad and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Arrests were made at locations in Elizabeth, Roselle, and Linden.
The suspects taken into custody include Nafee Finney, 18, and Joshua Ruth, 18, of Elizabeth; Micai Watson, 18, of Roselle; and Samir Cherry, 18, of Linden. Two male juveniles — a 17-year-old from Elizabeth and a 15-year-old from Linden — were also arrested.
Juvenile complaints were filed against both minors for conspiracy to commit second-degree aggravated assault and third-degree rioting. They were remanded to the Essex County Jail pending appearances in Superior Court.
Adult suspects face conspiracy and rioting charges
Finney, Ruth, Watson, and Cherry each face charges of second-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and third-degree rioting. Ruth faces an additional charge of fourth-degree hindering. All four were remanded to Union County Jail pending court proceedings.
“Violent crime will never be tolerated in our community, and this case demonstrates our commitment and resolve to seeing those responsible brought to justice, no matter how long it takes,” said Linden Police Chief David Hart.
