Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley: A Bright Light Cut Short
At about 10 p.m. on Oct. 15, a black Chevy Equinox pulled up to a ranch house in the southern New Jersey city of Bridgeton. A group of men in ski masks hopped out and headed for the front door. A sign beside it featured a single word: Blessed.
The Victim
The home belonged to Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley, a 15-year veteran of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office. Mosley worked in internal affairs, where she was believed to be the first Black female sergeant in the history of the unit. She was also a mother and grandmother, with an infectious laugh and two grandchildren on whom she doted.
The Murder
Mosley, 51, was in her bedroom when the men kicked in her front door and rushed down the hallway, prosecutors say. A gunbattle broke out almost instantly. Mosley squeezed off three rounds with her service revolver, striking one of the men in the right shoulder. But a bullet hit her in the right knee, according to prosecutors, likely knocking her to the ground. A second bullet struck her left wrist. And then came the fatal round: One of the men shot her in the back of the head execution-style, prosecutors say.
The Investigation
The murder reverberated across the state, drawing condemnation from New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and anguished tributes from Mosley’s law enforcement colleagues. About two weeks after Mosley’s killing, three men with criminal records were arrested on murder charges in connection with the crime. A woman who was dating one of the men was also arrested and accused of trying to cover up evidence. And in early November, a fourth man was charged in Mosley’s murder. He had been released from state prison only six weeks earlier.
A Motive Unknown
The handful of current and former law enforcement officials interviewed for this article said they had no idea why anyone would target Mosley. They said it was possible that it was a random home invasion or that the suspects went to the wrong house. Given the criminal histories of the suspects, the law enforcement officials said, it seemed unlikely that the murder was connected to her work.
The Suspects
The four male suspects have all been arrested multiple times and served prison stints. In court hearings, a judge ordered all four to remain behind bars pending trial. Thomas was released from state prison in September after serving a five-year sentence for drug distribution. Mutcherson was also released from state prison earlier this year, in July. Hawkins Willis, the third suspect, was released from state prison in 2019 after receiving a five-year sentence on theft and weapons charges. Brown, the fourth suspect, was sentenced to five years in prison in April 2017 on two weapons charges.
Conclusion
Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was a bright light cut short. Her murder has sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and has left her family and friends grappling for answers. As the investigation continues, the motive behind her killing remains unknown. But one thing is certain: Mosley’s life and legacy will never be forgotten.
FAQs
Q: Who was Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley?
A: Detective Sgt. Monica Mosley was a 15-year veteran of the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and a mother and grandmother.
Q: What happened to Mosley?
A: Mosley was shot and killed in her home in Bridgeton, New Jersey, by a group of men who kicked in her front door.
Q: Who were the suspects?
A: Four men with criminal records were arrested on murder charges in connection with Mosley’s killing. A woman who was dating one of the men was also arrested and accused of trying to cover up evidence.
Q: What is the motive behind Mosley’s killing?
A: The motive behind Mosley’s killing remains unknown. Investigators are still trying to determine why she was targeted.
Q: What is the status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and the four suspects are currently being held in jail pending trial.
