A tragic incident unfolded in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday evening, resulting in the death of two individuals, including a 10-year-old boy, and leaving three others injured. A 21-year-old woman succumbed to her injuries, while an 11-year-old boy and two men, aged 19 and 60, are currently in stable condition. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the incident, which occurred around 7 p.m.
Local residents described a chilling scene, recounting the sound of rapid gunfire followed by screams. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told NJ.com that there were “more than six” gunshots. The area was cordoned off by the police, preventing residents from returning to their homes on Saturday night.
The victims who lost their lives were immediately transported to University Hospital following the shooting. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, in response to the incident, called on the perpetrator to surrender.
Mayor Baraka issued a statement addressing not only the shooting but also the tragic death of a 2-year-old who fell from a window in the city earlier that day. He described the day as “dark and devastating,” mourning the loss of the young lives and condemning the senseless violence.
The shooting took place on the 300 block of Chancellor Avenue, where investigators found at least 17 evidence markers the following morning. Law enforcement officers, including uniformed police and plainclothes detectives, were seen combing the largely residential area.
Newark, New Jersey’s largest city with a population exceeding 300,000, has seen a 13% rise in violent crime in the year leading up to May 2024, according to the Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC) at Rutgers University. However, NPSC data shows a significant decrease in aggravated assaults, robberies, and homicides between January 1, 2025, and October 26.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has urged anyone with information about the case to come forward. A reward of $10,000 has been offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.