December 27, 2005
PRESS RELEASE

Attempted Murder

Somerville, NJ - Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne J. Forrest and Franklin Township Police Chief Craig Novick announce that detectives from the Franklin Township Police Department and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad are investigating a December 23rd shooting of a 21-year-old township resident. Prosecutor Forrest states that detectives believe that the victim, Devon Raheem Branham was walking alone on Berry Street at approximately 6:30 p.m. last Friday night when an unknown assailant approached him in a vehicle and shot him once in the chest and then fled. Branham was able to make it to a Berry Street residence where he collapsed. The resident called the Franklin Police, who responded, provided first aid and secured the scene. The Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Squad Detectives and Crime Scene Investigation (C.S.I.) Unit also responded. Branham was rushed to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition from a single gunshot wound that penetrated his lung.

As the investigation continues, Douglas W. Kimmelman, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Crimestoppers of Somerset County announced a reward of $1,000 for any information which leads to the arrest of the suspect(s). This information may be provided anonymously by calling the Crime Stoppers toll free TIPS Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS Hotline.” Whether you provide the information by telephone or online you will be provided a confidential claim number which you will utilize to obtain the reward monies. All communications will be kept confidential.