Three Years Later : Revisiting The Murder of Adrian Anderson

In an exclusive interview, Adrian Anderson’s mother sat down with Unheard Voices to discuss the murder of her son.

Adrienne Anderson revisits the senseless murder of her son and expresses her thoughts on the aftermath of the event.

On September 21st, 2013, 23-year-old Adrian Anderson succumbed to his injuries after being gunned down on Liberty St. in Long Branch.

Adrian was visiting his aunt after leaving a party to honor two people killed in a car crash from Long Branch, when he found a group of individuals loitering on his Aunt’s property. Anderson says her son would often visit his Aunt to check on her as she was disabled.

According to various reports, Adrian encountered an unruly group that did not want to disperse from the private poverty. Adrienne Anderson says it was then several boys that wanted Adrian to go to the back of the property to fight but after Adrian’s refusal, the group began jumping him in the front. Police were called to the scene several times to disperse the crowd. The last call they would receive was about Adrian Anderson’s lifeless body on the ground as he was shot. Adrian was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Dante Strong, who was 18 at the time, now 21, was charged with the murder of Adrian Anderson. Strong admitted to firing in the crowd of people that killed Adrian Anderson. He plead guilty to aggravated manslaughter in June of 2016. Strong was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder.

Strong told the judge that one of his female relatives was injured during one of those confrontations, prompting him to get a handgun and shoot in the direction of the crowd standing on the front porch at 135 Liberty St, the acting prosecutor said. One of the shots hit Anderson, Strong acknowledged.

Adrienne Anderson, a lifelong resident of Long Branch who now lives in Keansburg, spoke with Unheard Voices because she wanted her side of the story told. In this candid interview, Adrienne speaks about the struggles of dealing with losing a son, to her frustration over lack of support of local organizations within the community.

Watch the two part video interview below:

Revisting the murder of Adrian Anderson Part 1

Part 2