MAY 12, 2023

NEWS RELEASE

AUTHORITIES INVESTIGATE FRANKLIN
TOWNSHIP HOMICIDE

FRANKLIN TWP., N.J. – Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Franklin Township Public Safety Director Quovella M. Maeweather announced an on-going homicide investigation in Franklin Township (Somerset County), New Jersey.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at approximately 9:56 p.m., Franklin Township Police responded to 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting in the area of Rose Street and Sydney Place, Somerset, New Jersey. Responding Officers encountered an adult male taxi driver suffering from a gunshot wound. The taxi had come to rest after crashing into a parked vehicle which was in a driveway of a residence on Sydney Place. Franklin Township Police Officers along with Emergency Medical Personnel from an area Trauma Center responded to the scene and performed life saving measures on the victim, who was subsequently identified as Kofi Addo, age 57, North Brunswick, New Jersey. Mr. Addo was transported to an area Trauma Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department along with the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Crime Scene Investigations Unit, Somerset County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Warren Township Police K-9 Unit responded to the scene to conduct the investigation. The preliminary investigation has revealed that Mr. Addo, while operating a local taxi, responded to the area of Rose Street to pick up a fare. Upon arrival Mr. Addo was confronted by the suspect(s) while inside the taxi and was subsequently shot. The unknown actors fled from the scene on foot.

Prosecutor McDonald stated that authorities are requesting the public’s assistance, and asking area residents to contact authorities if they encountered any individuals in the aforementioned areas acting in a suspicious manner. Preliminary motive indicates robbery. The investigation remains on-going. The New Jersey Northern Regional Medical Examiner will perform a post-mortem examination to determine cause and manner of death.

Prosecutor McDonald, Chief Fodor, and Director Maeweather request anyone with information relating to the homicide to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Franklin Township Police Department at (732) 873-5533 or via the STOPit app. The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports, and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

      NOTE: The following information is based on a preliminary and ongoing investigation, which continues to evolve as investigators interview witnesses, review physical and electronic records, and analyze forensic evidence.  The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office’s understanding of the facts and circumstances may change as additional evidence is collected and analyzed.