In the late afternoon of a spring day in Plainfield, New Jersey, the life of 19-year-old David Perez was tragically cut short. On Sunday, April 28, 2019, at approximately 4:10 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting near the intersection of West Fourth Street and Monroe Avenue. Arriving at the scene, officers found Perez suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were promptly dispatched, and the young man was rushed to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Perez succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead just over an hour later. The community was left shaken by the violent loss of a young life in broad daylight.
The investigation into the death of David Perez, a male resident of Plainfield, quickly became a priority for local and county law enforcement.
The Union County Prosecutor's Office, in conjunction with the Plainfield Police Division and other agencies, launched a thorough investigation into the fatal shooting. Their collaborative efforts soon led to the identification of a primary suspect.
Less than two weeks after the incident, authorities announced a significant development in the case. An 18-year-old man from the neighboring community of North Plainfield, Samir Crews, was identified as the alleged perpetrator. On May 8, 2019, members of the Union County Homicide Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service located and apprehended Crews in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was subsequently charged with murder and weapons offenses in connection with the shooting death of David Perez. Following his arrest, Crews awaited extradition back to New Jersey to face the charges against him.
