YPN Chapter 17, Metro YMCA of the Oranges and the NJ State Alliance of YMCAs present a conversation with three of the Jersey 4. Nya Noziere from the Sussex Y hosts Danny Reyes, Jarmaine Grant and Rayshawn Brown who, on April 23, 1998, along with Keshon Moore, hopped in Moore’s van to drive down to North Carolina Central University basketball tryouts. USA Today reported it was on the NJ Turnpike heading south that evening when State Troopers John Hogan and James Kenna pulled up alongside Moore, who was driving, to peer across the lane at the van and its passengers. A moment later the state police were behind Moore’s van pulling them over. While reaching for his license and registration, the van slowly rolled backward, bumping the front fender of the police car. Moore had accidentally put the van in reverse, instead of park.

NJ State Police open fired into the van, injuring Grant and Brown, nearly killing Reyes. The Troopers were handcuffing and arresting the men while paramedics were trying to administer care. “Under arrest for what?” Brown asked police before being airlifted to a Trenton Hospital. “You guys shot us! We didn’t do anything!”

“That’s what you all say,” The Trooper responded. Police shot Reyes six times, Grant three and Brown twice. Fortunately, Moore was not hit by police bullets that night.