The search continues for 18-year old Almuqqadin Means (pictured left), of East Orange, who has been charged with the shooting death of 17-year old Aquilla Fields, also of East Orange. The two – who were rumored to have dated – were both students at Campus High School in East Orange, where Aquilla Fields was recently voted Prom Queen. Unfortunately, she will never have the chance to wear her crown. She was found shot to death in her bedroom early Wednesday morning, just 10 days before her graduation. That same day, a warrant was issued for Means, who has been dubbed the “jilted ex-boyfriend.” It charged him with Murderand Weapons offenses. His whereabouts are still unknown.
The victim’s body was discovered by her mother who believed that she simply overslept for school. Upon realizing that the victim was shot, her mother called 9-1-1. The revolver believed to have been used in the shooting was found ditched across the street from the victim’s apartment complex. The cause of death was ruled a homicide – it appears that the victim sustained a single gunshot wound to the head. But no one heard any gunfire.
According to newspaper sources, relatives of the victim told her to stay away from Means recently. Since March, he has apparently been arrested twice on charges ranging fromRobbery and Conspiracy to Theft and Contempt.
A flood of balloons, candles, and pictures have formed a makeshift memorial in front of the victim’s apartment. She was to have been crowned Prom Queen next Thursday. After graduation, she had hoped to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City.
For more information, see the Star-Ledger article entitled, “Police still hunting for ex-boyfriend in killing of East Orange prom queen.”
