⚖️🚨 DEADLY ATLANTIC CITY ROBBERY ENDS WITH GUILTY PLEA FROM NEW YORK WOMAN

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — A 30-year-old New York woman has admitted her role in a planned robbery that ended with the fatal shooting of an Atlantic City man in January 2024.

According to the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Melissa Tikaram of Manlius, New York, pleaded guilty Wednesday to aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery in connection with the death of 32-year-old Christian Hunter.

Prosecutors said Tikaram admitted that she arranged to meet Hunter on January 20, 2024, intending to rob him alongside co-defendant Howard Griswold, 26, of Baldwinsville, New York.

As part of her plea, Tikaram acknowledged that she knew Griswold had brought a firearm to the planned robbery.

🔫 During the encounter, prosecutors said Griswold shot Hunter. Tikaram admitted that she then drove Griswold away from the area in a rented Nissan Rogue.

Atlantic City police were dispatched following a ShotSpotter alert reporting two gunshots. Officers located Hunter suffering from a gunshot wound on North Virginia Avenue. He was later pronounced dead from his injuries.

Investigators reportedly recovered two 9mm shell casings at the scene. Prosecutors said the casings were linked to a Glock handgun that was later recovered from the rented vehicle. Investigators also recovered photographs allegedly showing Griswold holding the same firearm.

🚔 Tikaram’s plea agreement calls for a 15-year New Jersey state prison sentence. She is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13, 2026.

Griswold previously pleaded guilty to the same charges of aggravated manslaughter and armed robbery. His plea agreement calls for a 25-year state prison sentence, with sentencing scheduled for September 30, 2026.

⚖️ Because both defendants have entered guilty pleas, the charges have resulted in admissions of criminal responsibility. Sentencing remains pending.