Authorities revealed that there were two fatal shootings in Newark NJ on New Year’s Day.
The first incident took place on the 100 block of Court Street. The victim was found during in the early morning hours. He had reportedly been shot while walking down Court Street.
According to a joint news release issued by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department, the victim was taken to University Hospital in Newark. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save the victim; he was pronounced dead a short time later.
The second incident occurred at night at Homestead Park in the city’s South Ward.
According to authorities, the victim was found dead in his vehicle. The chief of detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said that the victim suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Newark NJ police are actively investigating both shootings. The police department has not made any arrests in the cases. Additionally, at this time, it is not yet known if the two shootings are connected in any way.
If a suspect in either of the fatal shootings is eventually identified and apprehended, they could face significant penalties. That’s because first degree murder is considered the most serious criminal offense in the New Jersey Criminal Code. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3, criminal homicide is classified as a first degree felony and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Newark police have not released the identity of either shooting victim.
To learn more about this case, view the NJ.com article entitled “Newark Man Found Dead in Car in Second New Year’s Day Homicide, Authorities Say.”