NEWARK, NJ – A 10-year-old boy and a 21-year-old woman were killed in a Saturday evening shooting that left three others wounded in Newark’s South Ward, prompting officials to condemn the violence as “depraved and senseless.”
Newark police responded to reports of gunfire around 7 p.m. Saturday and discovered five victims at the scene. The 10-year-old boy and the young woman were pronounced dead, while three others sustained injuries in the attack.
The wounded victims include an 11-year-old boy, a 19-year-old man, and a 60-year-old man, all of whom were reported in stable condition following the shooting. Authorities have not yet released the names of any victims.
The circumstances leading to the shooting remain under investigation, with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office leading the inquiry. As of Sunday morning, no arrests had been made in connection with the deadly incident.
Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka characterized the shooting as a tragic blow to the community, calling it “a dark and devastating day” for the city. He pledged that municipal authorities would work closely with prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to pursue justice.
“This depraved and senseless violence has no place in our city,” Baraka said in a statement. He added that investigators would work “tirelessly” with multiple agencies to ensure accountability for those responsible.
The mayor directly addressed the shooter, urging them to surrender to authorities. “There is no safe place to hide,” he said, emphasizing that the community stands behind the victims and their families.
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also responded to the tragedy, asking residents to keep the victims in their thoughts. “Please pray for the victims and their families,” Murphy stated.
The shooting marks one of the deadliest incidents of gun violence in Newark in recent months, with a child among the fatalities. Community leaders have called for increased efforts to address gun violence affecting young people in urban areas.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tip line.
