NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two brothers were charged with the murder of a New Jersey grandmother who was fatally shot as she celebrated her birthday in Newark last year, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Monday.
Officials said Jonathan Ritchie, 21, and his brother, Josiah Ritchie, 19, both of Newark, have both been charged with murder, conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose over the March 11, 2021, death of 63-year-old Debra Derrick.
Derrick, who worked as a certified nursing assistant at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, was releasing balloons on her front porch to celebrate her birthday and the birthday of her late twin sister when she was gunned down.
Ramona Derrick, another one of Derrick's sisters, told NJ.com that her sister was killed as she rushed to shield her grandchildren from gunfire.
"She was caught in the crossfire. She was making sure that everybody was safe," she said. "She was pushing the two granddaughters in the door."
Katherine Clark, a spokeswoman for the prosecutor’s office, confirmed to the outlet that the grandmother was not the intended target.
The two brothers, who lived with their mother and stepfather, are originally from Guyana and had previously lived in Atlanta, prosecutors said.
Both are currently being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.
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