The long journey for justice in the tragic murder of Walters Elangwe, a 29-year-old Cameroonian entrepreneur from Muea, Buea, has reached its conclusion. A U.S. court has found Jaden Crowner, a 20-year-old Brooklyn resident, guilty of Elangwe’s murder, which occurred in July 2020 at an apartment complex in Annapolis, Maryland. The verdict brings a sense of closure to Elangwe’s loved ones, including family, friends, and former classmates from St. Joseph’s College Sasse, where he graduated in 2008 as part of the “Strivers” batch.
A Life Cut Short
Elangwe, a budding entrepreneur, faced a tragic end while engaging in his side business of reselling used smartphones. On the day of his death, he traveled to the Annapolis apartment complex to buy an Apple iPhone, unaware that it was a setup. Prosecutors revealed that Crowner and two accomplices had orchestrated the meeting to rob him. Upon his arrival, one of the accomplices fired a shot through the windshield of Elangwe’s car. He was rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries shortly afterward.
Reactions from Classmates
Elangwe’s former classmates have reacted to the verdict with mixed feelings of relief and lingering sorrow.
“Finally, justice has prevailed. I hope Crowner spends the rest of his life in prison,” said John Chuwanga, a friend and fellow alumnus of Sasse College.
Another classmate, Makane Dibo, pointed to systemic issues contributing to the tragedy: “Why leave a 16-year-old with a gun? If he’s 20 now, it means he was 16 when he committed this act. The U.S. must revise its laws to create safer spaces for everyone.”
The Prosecutor’s Stand
State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess commended the Annapolis Police Department for their decisive work in solving the case. She remarked:
“Walters Elangwe was a hardworking man who lost his life because Crowner wanted to test his newly acquired handgun. This verdict sends a strong message that such senseless violence will not be tolerated. Thanks to the dedicated work of law enforcement, Crowner will no longer pose a threat to society.”
Sentencing and Calls for Change
Crowner, who is already serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder in 2023, will face additional sentencing on April 30, 2025, in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court.
The case has reignited debates around gun control and youth violence in the United States. Advocates are calling for more stringent measures to prevent such incidents, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms to ensure safer communities and prevent similar tragedies.
