In the late afternoon of a Friday in Plainfield, New Jersey, a burst of violence shattered the community's sense of peace. On March 11, 2022, Eric C. Williams, a 50-year-old Black man, was found with grave injuries at the intersection of Johnston Avenue and Front Street. Police responded to the scene shortly before 4:00 p.m. and discovered that Williams had been shot. Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the death of Eric C.
Williams moved swiftly. Later that same evening, authorities apprehended a suspect, 32-year-old Haneef Welch, also a resident of Plainfield. Welch was taken into custody without incident and subsequently faced serious charges for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting.
Haneef Welch was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Following his arrest, he was held in the Union County Jail while awaiting legal proceedings. Ultimately, on May 16, 2024, Welch was sentenced in connection with the death of Eric C. Williams. A judge sentenced him to 23 years in state prison on a charge of aggravated manslaughter. Under the terms of his sentence, Welch is required to serve a significant portion of that time before becoming eligible for parole.
