34-Year-Old Plainfield Man Sentenced To 23 Years In Prison For The Shooting Death Of Haneef Williams In 2022
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 4:40 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
PLAINFIELD, NJ.- Union County Prosecutor William Daniel reported, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, that a 34-year-old Plainfield, New Jersey man was sentenced to a 23-year New Jersey State Prison term for the 2022 fatal shooting of Eric Williams of Plainfield, New Jersey.
On Thursday, Haneef Welch, 34, of Plainfield appeared in Union County Superior Court and was sentenced by the Honorable Candido Rodriguez to a term of 23 years in State Prison on the charge of Aggravated Manslaughter. Judge Rodriguez ordered Welch to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.
According to court documents, on Friday, March 11, 2022, shortly before 4:00 p.m., members of the Plainfield Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a shooting at the intersection of Johnston Avenue and East 2nd Street in the City of Plainfield.
Upon arrival, Police Officers found Eric Williams, 50, of Plainfield unresponsive from multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Williams was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
A subsequent investigation by Detectives of the Union County Homicide Task Force and the Plainfield Police Department were able to identify Welch as the individual responsible for the death of Mr. Williams.
“While this sentencing does not bring Mr. Williams back, we hope it comes some small solace to his loved ones,” said Union County Prosecutor Daniel. “I commend the dedicated efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Caparruva, Berkeley Heights Sergeant William Fettes, the case detective on loan to our office, and all of the homicide task force members who worked tirelessly on this case.”
