Montclair Homicide Suspect Arrested in Brooklyn

Statement by Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow

At around noon today, our multi-state manhunt for the Montclair-Y shooter ended successfully.

Kenneth Duckett, 37, of Orange, was arrested by members of the United States Marshals New York/New Jersey Fugitive Regional Task Force in an apartment building located at 885 Troy Ave., in Brooklyn. Duckett was arrested without incident and taken to a New York Police Department precinct in the Bronx.

Duckett is accused of fatally shooting Monica Paul in front of their 11-year-old daughter at the Montclair YMCA on June 26. At the time, their 4-year-old son was swimming in the Y-pool.
Detectives and members of the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force developed information leading them to the Brooklyn location.

The arrest comes after a 12-day manhunt that covered several states.

Duckett will remain in New York awaiting extradition.

He has been formally charged with murder and weapons offenses. His bail has been set at $1 million. I would like to thank all of our law enforcement partners that worked tirelessly to reach this peaceful resolution to such a horrific act that shook the township of Montclair only days ago.

I would like to thank the detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Squad, the Montclair Police Department, the U.S. Marshals in New York/New Jersey, and the New York City Police Department.

In particular I would like to personally thank Essex County Prosecutor Detective Susan Bzik- who is detailed to the U.S. Marshals, Newark Police Detective Rasheen Peppers, who is also detailed to the Marshals, Dan Potucek of the U. S. Marshals, Essex County Prosecutor Homicide Squad lead detective Guy Trogani and Montclair Police lead detectives James Milano and Ricky Singleton with this investigation.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Monica Paul.