Essex County Man Allegedly Murdered 2 Brothers From Honduras

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Police have arrested a 22-year-old Essex County man accused of murdering two brothers on Sunday, authorities say.

Zabdiel R. Vargas-Soto, 22, of Newark, allegedly shot and killed Jose Castillo-Granados, 25, and Francisco Castillo-Granados, 22, both of Newark, shortly after 5 a.m. near the intersection of Adams and Walnut streets in the Ironbound section of Newark, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office stated Wednesday.

The brothers, who are originally from Honduras, appeared to know the defendant Vargas-Soto, who was arrested late yesterday by detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes Newark detectives, authorities said.

In addition to the murders, Vargas-Soto has been charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, prosecutors said.

An investigation is ongoing, authorities said.

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