Three Charged in Death of Brendan Tevlin of Livingston

by Carolyne Volpe Curley / Carolyne@WestEssexNOW.com
Published 3:33pm

Brendan Tevlin Credit: Seton Hall Preparatory School

NEWARK, NJ - West Orange Police Chief James P. Abbott and Essex County Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced Monday afternoon that three men have been charged in the June 25 murder of  19-year old Brendan Tevlin, of Livingston. The prosecutor emphasized that the investigation remains on-going.

All three men are being held at the Essex County Jail, Newark. 

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​ My family would like to express our gratitude to the members of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, West Orange Police Department
and all other Law Enforcement Agencies who have dedicated
so much of their time and resources and continue to work so diligently 
to seek justice for the horrific crime committed against our son and brother,"
commented Allison McNulty Tevlin, Brendan's mother, in a prepared statement.
"We especially appreciate the many hours they have spent
away from their loved ones and we gratefully acknowledge
the support of their families. 
We are confident that those individuals responsible for taking Brendan's life
will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. 

We would also like to recognize the town of Livingston and surrounding community, the Archdiocese of Newark, Seton Hall Prep,
St. Philomena's Parish, the Irish-American community, 
the University of Richmond, and the countless family friends
and even strangers who have provided our family
love and support over the past five weeks. 
The overwhelming number of people, both near and far,
who have told us they have been affected by Brendan's death
is not only due to the violent way in which he died
but also it is a greater acknowledgement 
to the manner in which he lived. 

We do feel it is necessary to correct speculation
made, and unfortunately repeated during the course of the investigation, 
that Brendan was targeted for this unspeakable act of violence.

That is entirely untrue.
 
Brendan was the innocent victim of a random senseless murder.
It was perpetrated by one or more strangers, which occurred while he was doing nothing more than driving home from a friend's house. 

While we cannot bring Brendan back to us, it is our sincerest hope,
that we learn from his death. And by addressing
the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our county today,
we want other families and communities to be spared
the tragic loss and sorrow we will always feel. 

As we do our best to move forward, and continue to celebrate Brendan's life,
our hope it that his personal motto, "Good Vibes and Easy Living,"
will continue to make an impact on all of us, 
so good can always triumph over evil." 

Suspects

Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Ali Muhammed Brown
Bail: $5 million

Brown, originally of East Orange, was recently captured in West Orange and transferred to Seattle, WA, where he was suspected of having committed two murders. The Prosecutor's Office had also been seeking information for him in regards to a carjacking in Point Pleasant on June 29.

The West Orange Police Dept and Essex County task force members found Brown on July 18 living in a makeshift camp in a wooded area of West Orange. The suspect was linked to Tevlin's murder because the weapon used to kill Tevlin was reportedly found on Brown and is allegedly the same weapon used in the Seattle murders. 

Brown has been charged with:

• Murder
  
• Felony Murder
  
• Robbery
  
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
  
• Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose
  
• Unlawful Possession of Weapon

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Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Jeremy Villagran, 19, West Orange 
Bail: $1 million

Tevlin was shot reportedly in the vicinity of Northfield Avenue and Walker Road, West Orange, but he was found in his family's Jeep Liberty in the parking lot of an apartment located at 275 Northfield Avenue, West Orange. Villagran is a resident of that apartment complex. 

Villagran has been charged with:

• Felony Murder
  
• Robbery
  
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
  
• Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose
  
• Unlawful Possession of Weapon

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Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Eric Williams, 18, West Orange
Bail: $1 million

Williams has been charged with:

• Felony Murder
  
• Robbery
  
• Conspiracy to Commit Robbery
  
• Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose
  
• Unlawful Possession of Weapon

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Credit: Essex County Prosecutor's Office

Murray related that her office will prove that Tevlin was driving home in his family's car, when the three men drove up alongside him at a traffic light. The prosecutor believes Williams stayed in the car, while Brown and Villagran got out and, after robbing Tevlin of several personal items, began shooting at him. Ten bullets were fired; Tevlin was hit by eight of them.  
 
Brown then reportedly got inside Tevlin's vehicle, moved his body into the passenger seat, and drove to the apartment complex. 


Murray also stated that Villagran and Williams were the two individuals seen running in photos from a surveillance tape which her office released in connection to the case.  Villagran is suspected of being the one shown in white. 

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“I applaud the hard work of the West Orange Police Department,
the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the
multiple police enforcement agencies who worked together
to solve this horrific crime," commented West Orange Mayor Robert D. Parisi.
"It is the direct result of their commitment, professionalism and dedication
that those who decide to break the law in our town will be held accountable.
The entire Township offers our continued sympathies to the Tevlin family.
They deserve justice and I can only hope
that this will bring them some sense of closure.” 

Further Reading:

• Tevlin Family is Focused on Building the Brendan P. Tevlin '13 Memorial Fund at Seton Hall Prep
  
  
• Brown, Villagran and Williams Remain Jailed after Pleading Not Guilty Wednesday to Murder of Brendan Tevlin, Livingston 
  
  
• $1000 Offered For Information on Ali Brown of East Orange
  
  
• Reward Increased to $25,000 as West Orange Police Seek Public's Help with Brendan Tevlin Murder Investigation
  
  
• Friends of Brendan Tevlin Hosting First Annual Lacrosse Festival in his Honor at Seton Hall Prep, Saturday  
  
  
• For Brendan Tevlin, a Video of Memories of His Enduring Spirit
  
  
• My Words for Brendan Tevlin, the Eulogy Delivered by Michaela Tevlin
  
  
• The Family of Brendan Patrick Tevlin, of Livingston, has Announced His Passing 

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