• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Brothers charged with killing New Jersey grandmother while she was celebrating birthday

Josiah Ritchie

Brothers Jonathan Ritchie, left, and Josiah Ritchie are charged with murder. (Essex County Prosecutor's Office)

April 26, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

NEWARK, N.J. – A pair of brothers in New Jersey are charged with murder after a grandmother was shot and killed while celebrating her birthday on her front porch in Newark last year, prosecutors said.

Jonathan Ritchie, 21 and his brother Josiah Ritchie, 19, have been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder and weapons-related offenses after the March 11, 2021 homicide of Debra Derrick, 63, according to Monday’s announcement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Derrick was on her front porch releasing balloons to celebrate her birthday and the birthday of her late twin sister when she was shot, according to officials. The woman formerly worked as a nursing assistant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, the New York Post reported.

According to a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, Derrick was not the intended target, NJ.com reported.

Ramona Derrick, another one of the victim’s sisters, told the news outlet last year that the woman died as she rushed to shield her grandchildren from gunfire.

“She was caught in the crossfire. She was making sure that everybody was safe. She was pushing the two granddaughters in the door,” Ramona Derrick told NJ Advance Media.

“She was a very pleasant person,” Ramona Derrick said. “She always welcomed people to a meal. Always had an open heart.”

63-year-old mom fatally shot in Newark on birthday

Debra Derrick, 63, was fatally shot on her birthday in Newark last year while shielding her grandchildren from gunfire. (Facebook)

The Ritchie brothers resided with their mother and stepfather in Newark. They previously lived in Atlanta but are originally from Guyana, prosecutors said.

Both men are currently held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: Debra DerrickJonathan RitchieJosiah Ritchienew jerseynewarkRamona Derrick
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Tremaine Hadden

Man sentenced to 37 years in prison for 2020 shooting of New Jersey police detective

September 15, 2023
Robert McPartland

New Jersey police officer revives town employee struck by lightning

June 15, 2023
Rashid Ali Bynum

Virginia man arrested for murder of Republican councilwoman in New Jersey

May 31, 2023
Robert Shisler

New Jersey police officer dies nearly two months after he was shot in struggle with suspect

May 8, 2023

New Jersey mother and daughter axed to death in home

April 21, 2023
Jason Liaban

New Jersey police sergeant dies by suicide

March 30, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

On Divorce: Humility Was My Savior

September 24, 2023

$100K in vehicles and equipment stolen from Chicago’s Soldier Field

September 24, 2023

FBI allegedly lost hundreds of thousands in rare coins during warrant service

September 24, 2023

A Robot is patrolling New York Subways

September 24, 2023

Man arrested for robbing victims using a ‘Chucky’ doll

September 24, 2023

London police turn their guns in after colleague charged charged with murder

September 24, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com