New York woman admits helping set up robbery that ended in fatal Atlantic City shooting
Melissa Tikaram admitted arranging the meeting to rob 32-year-old Christian Hunter and driving her co-defendant away after he shot Hunter.
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A New York woman has pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery in connection with the 2024 shooting death of an Atlantic City man, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Melissa Tikaram, 30, of Manlius, New York, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery in the death of 32-year-old Christian Hunter.
Tikaram admitted to arranging a Jan. 20, 2024, meeting with Hunter with the intention of robbing him with co-defendant Howard Griswold, 26, of Baldwinsville, New York. She also admitted knowing Griswold brought a gun to the planned robbery.
During the robbery, Griswold shot Hunter, and Tikaram drove Griswold away from the scene afterward, according to Tikaram’s admissions as part of her guilty plea.
Atlantic City police, responding to a ShotSpotter alert for two gunshots, found Hunter with a gunshot wound on North Virginia Avenue. He died from his injuries.
Surveillance footage captured a Nissan Rogue rented by Tikaram leaving the scene, prosecutors said. Investigators recovered two 9mm shell casings that were matched to a Glock handgun later found in the rented vehicle. Prosecutors said investigators also recovered photographs showing Griswold holding the same gun, identified by its serial number.
Tikaram’s plea calls for a 15-year state prison sentence. She is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 13.
Griswold previously pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery. His plea calls for a 25-year state prison sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 30.
