In the early hours of Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019, the life of 19-year-old Shirleen Caban was tragically cut short in a burst of gunfire at Von Nieda Park in Camden, New Jersey. A resident of Camden, where she was born and raised, Caban was with friends when the shooting occurred at approximately 12:37 a.m. The incident also claimed the life of 17-year-old Sincere Howard and left an 18-year-old woman wounded.
Shirleen, a graduate of Camden Academy Charter High School, was found
unresponsive inside a vehicle at the scene. She and Howard were both pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m. at an area hospital. The Cramer Hill neighborhood, where the park is located, was known as a relatively safe area, making the sudden violence all the more shocking to the community. In the wake of the tragedy, friends and family remembered Shirleen as a vibrant young woman.
Despite the passage of time, the case remains unsolved. As of the most recent reports, no arrests have been made and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the murders of Shirleen Caban and Sincere Howard. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office continues to investigate the double homicide. The families of both victims have actively sought justice, holding rallies and regularly contacting law enforcement for updates, determined that the memories of their loved ones will not fade and that those responsible will be held accountable.
