2 Homicides In Newark, Police Launch Investigations: Cutler and Hobson Streets

Newark, NJ – Authorities are investigating two unrelated homicides that took place in Newark on Friday afternoon.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the first incident occurred shortly after 3 p.m., when Newark police officers were dispatched to the area of 76 Cutler Street on reports of shots fired.

Authorities said that once on scene, officers observed a male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim - Joshua Smith, 20, of East Orange - was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:49 p.m.

Prosecutors said that the second incident occurred around 5:30 p.m., when Newark police officers responded to a medical aid call at a residence in the 100 block of Hobson Street.

Police stated that once on scene, officers discovered an unresponsive male later identified as Jerome Myers, 30, of Newark, dead on arrival.

Prosecutors stated that it appears Myers died “as a result of an altercation with another individual.”

An exact cause of death will be determined after an autopsy, prosecutors said.

Both incidents are being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.

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