Three Years Later : Revisiting The Murder of Adrian Anderson
In September 2013, Adrian Anderson was shot and killed while visiting family in Long Branch, NJ.
Anderson’s murder shattered the worlds of his family and friends, leaving to question why the senseless killing occurred.
Nearly three years after Anderson’s death, his mother Adrienne Anderson is opening up about the murder of her son and how it has impacted her life.
In an exclusive interview with Unheard Voices Magazine, Adrienne revisited the senseless murder of her son and expressed her thoughts on the aftermath of the tragic event.
What happened to Adrian Anderson?
On September 21st, 2013, 23-year-old Adrian Anderson succumbed to his injuries after being gunned down on Liberty St. in Long Branch, NJ.
Adrian was visiting his Aunt after leaving a party to honor two people killed in a car crash from Long Branch, when he found a group of individuals loitering on his Aunt’s property.
Adrienne Anderson says her son would often visit his Aunt to check on her as she was disabled. According to various reports, Adrian encountered an unruly group that did not want to disperse from the private poverty. Adrienne Anderson says it was then several boys that wanted Adrian to go to the back of the property to fight but after Adrian’s refusal, the group began jumping him in the front. Police were called to the scene several times to disperse the crowd. The last call the police received was about Adrian Anderson’s lifeless body on the ground after being shot.
Adrian was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he died of his injuries.
Justice served?
Dante Strong, who was 18 at the time, now 21, was charged with the murder of Adrian Anderson. Strong admitted to firing in the crowd of people that killed Adrian. He plead guilty to aggravated manslaughter in June of 2016.
Strong told the judge that one of his female relatives was injured during one of those confrontations, prompting him to get a handgun and shoot in the direction of the crowd standing on the front porch at 135 Liberty St, the acting prosecutor said. One of the shots hit Anderson, Strong acknowledged.
With the plea of aggravated manslaughter, the prosecutors are recommending 15 years in prison. Strong would have to serve 85 percent of that time before he is eligible for parole. He will be sentenced on October 7th, 2016.
Adrienne Anderson, a lifelong resident of Long Branch who now lives in Keansburg, spoke with Unheard Voices because she wanted her side of the story told. It is long overdue as she says her voice and her son’s story was never properly told.
In this candid interview, Adrienne speaks about the Long Branch Police Department, the struggles of losing a son to gun violence, to her frustration over lack of support from local organizations within Long Branch.
Watch the two part video interview below: