Newark NJ police are investigating two shooting deaths on the same night.
According to authorities, the murders occurred less than half an hour apart.
Newark police received a call about a shooting in the area of Avon Avenue and Stratford Place in the Central Ward. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw a man lying on the sidewalk. The man was unconscious, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders pronounced the victim dead at the scene a short time later.
Not long after that, Newark police got a call about another shooting. When officers arrived at 193-197 Chancellor Avenue, they learned that the shooting victim had already been transported to Newark Beth Israel Hospital. The victim, who was 24 years old, later died at the hospital.
Investigators are currently looking into both shootings. It is not believed that the shootings are related. At this time, police have not yet identified suspects or motives.
If a suspect in either shooting is eventually identified and apprehended, they could face significant penalties. That’s because homicide is the most serious offense in the New Jersey Criminal Code. Although most first degree felonies carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in NJ State Prison, a homicide conviction carries a penalty of 30 years to life in NJ State Prison.
Authorities have asked that anyone with information about the fatal shootings please get in touch with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide and Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 877-847-7432.
For additional information, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Two Dead After Separate Newark Shootings, Authorities Say.”
