Mwanza Atiba Kamau, born on April 5, 1962, in New York City, was raised in Atlantic City, New Jersey, by his mother after his father was killed during the Vietnam War. From a young age, Kamau exhibited violent tendencies, leading to multiple stints in juvenile detention for offenses including assault, shoplifting, larceny, and attempted arson. His criminal activities escalated in adulthood; in 1984, he was convicted of armed robbery and burglary in New Jersey and sentenced to 20 years in prison. After serving ten years, he was paroled in January 1994. Despite a subsequent drug-related parole violation in August 1994, he was not reincarcerated. Kamau began a relationship with April Gates, a blackjack dealer, which ended in January 1995. Following their breakup, he exhibited stalking behavior, leading Gates to obtain a restraining order against him on June 15, 1995.

Kamau's killing spree began on June 17, 1995, when he entered the home of his ex-girlfriend, April Gates, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Finding only her mother, Shirley Gates, at home, he tied her up and shot her twice in the head, killing her. He then proceeded to a nearby birthday party where April Gates was present and shot her three times, resulting in her death.

On June 18, Kamau traveled to the Star Motel in Monroe Township, New Jersey, where he fatally shot William Dawson and wounded Stacey Smith, leaving her 4-year-old son unharmed. The following day, he robbed a gas station in Haddon Township, pistol-whipping the attendant and stealing over $800.

Kamau's spree continued into New York on June 19. He shot and killed gas station attendant Jose Gabriel Escarpetta in Manhattan, then entered a nearby building where he fatally shot Jeffrey Roork and David Roth in an elevator. Later, he shot Norma Acosta in the head; she survived. He also robbed Reverend Robert Gethers and Deacon Joseph Johnson outside their church, sparing their lives after receiving $350.

On June 21, Kamau shot and killed taxi driver Emmanuel Malan in New Jersey over a fare dispute. Shortly after, police in Nutley, New Jersey, spotted Kamau, leading to a 20-minute car chase. After crashing his vehicle, Kamau engaged in a shootout with officers, during which he was struck by 14 bullets and killed.