Essex County Man Charged In August 2025 Phillipsburg Shooting
Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
PHILLIPSBURG, NJ.- Last Thursday, a 22-year-old Newark, New Jersey, man wanted in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during the afternoon hours on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, in the Town of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, was taken into custody and charged.
According to Acting Warren County Prosecutor Jessica L. Cardone, and as previously reported, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at around 4:15 p.m., members of the Phillipsburg Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter activation on the 100 Block of Henderson Street in the Town of Phillipsburg.
Police Officers Find Shell Casings And A Damaged Vehicle
Upon arrival, Police Officers discovered several shell casings scattered on the ground at the corner of Henderson and Williams Streets. Police Officers also found multiple bullet holes in a motor vehicle that was parked nearby. During the initial investigation, Police Officers determined that no one was injured in the shooting.
During the investigation, Detectives and Police Officers recovered area video surveillance footage that identified a 17-year-old juvenile male as the shooter. The teen was quickly apprehended and was formally charged with one count of second-degree Conspriacy to Commit Aggravated Assault; second-degree Aggravated Assault by Firing a Handgun at a Person; second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and fourth-degree Criminal Mischief for Damage to a Motor Vehicle.
The teen was processed on the charges and was ordered to remain detained at the Warren County Juvenile Detention Facility pending future court proceedings in Warren County Superior Court Family Law Division.
Detectives Identify Second Suspect, A Newark, New Jersey Man
On September 8, 2025, Detectives identified a second individual during the investigation and formally charged Karim D. Thomas, 22, of Newark, New Jersey, with one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose; second-degree Aggravated Assault by Firing a Handgun in the Direction of Individuals; and fourth-degree Criminal Mischief By Firing a Handgun and Causing Property Damage, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Thomas Was Located And Taken Into Custody
On Thursday, October 23, 2025, members of the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Phillipsburg Police Department located and arrested Thomas. He was processed on the charges and was remanded to the Warren County Correctional Facility pending future court proceedings in Warren County Superior Court in Belvidere, New Jersey.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
