Wadi Brown, of Newark, faces 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting a 20-year-old Keion Alston
Credit: KippNewark/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
- Wadi Brown was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Keion Alston
- The shooting followed a street argument between Brown and Alston in May 2025
- Brown faces 30 years to life in prison, and will be sentenced on Sept. 17, 2026
A New Jersey man has been convicted of fatally shooting a 20-year-old six times in the back after the two argued on a Newark street.
A jury found Wadi Brown, 34, guilty on July 16 of murdering Keion Alston, as well as two weapons offenses, following about three hours of deliberations, according to a press release from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
Credit: Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
The killing stemmed from an argument between Brown and Alston in May 2025. Prosecutors said the two men had a dispute on the street before Brown fired six shots, striking Alston in the back and killing him.
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“While nothing can bring Keion Alston back, we hope this verdict provides his family with a measure of closure and justice,” Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Meredith Mona said in the press release.
Alston was a beloved student at both KIPP SPARK Academy and KIPP Newark Lab High School, graduating from the latter in 2023.
“Keion’s kind spirit left a lasting impact on his classmates, teachers, and all who had the privilege of knowing him,” KIPP New Jersey Public Schools said in an Instagram post.
Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on September 17, 2026. He faces 30 years to life in prison.
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