Two people, including a 10-year-old boy, have been killed in a shooting in Newark, New Jersey, that left three others injured. The attack took place shortly after 7pm on Saturday in a residential area of the city, around 13 miles west of New York City, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
The victims were named only by age: a 10-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman died from their injuries. Three others – an 11-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man and a 60-year-old man – were taken to a local hospital and were in a stable condition, NJ.com reported.
Residents on the street described hearing screams as gunfire rang out. One local told NJ.com that there were “more than six” shots, while WABC reported that so many rounds were fired that people ducked for cover. At the scene on Sunday morning, police had placed at least 17 evidence markers and were seen examining what appeared to be a jacket on the ground.
No motive has yet been established, and no information has been released about the suspected gunman. Authorities have offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest, describing the investigation as “active and ongoing.”
In a statement, Newark's mayor, Ras Baraka, called it “a dark and devastating day in Newark.” He said: “We will not rest until there is justice for the parents and families left behind in unspeakable pain and grief. Newark will work tirelessly with the prosecutor's office, state law-enforcement, and federal agencies to ensure justice is served. We urge the killer to turn himself in, as there is no safe place to hide.”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy urged people to “Please pray for the victims and their families.” The shooting came hours after a two-year-old died following a fall from a 20th-floor window in the city, according to reports.
