2 Teens Shot Near Newark School In Act Of 'Senseless Violence': UPDATE

NEWARK, NJ — A 17-year-old student was left in critical condition and another teen was wounded after a shooting outside a school in Newark on Tuesday afternoon, authorities say.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, officers responded to West Side High School at 405 South Orange Avenue around 2:46 p.m. after getting a call about a shooting. Police found a 17-year-old male and a 15-year-old victim with gunshot wounds. Both were transported to University Hospital for treatment.

The 17-year-old victim – a student at West Side High School – was taken to the hospital in critical condition. He has since been upgraded to stable but critical. The 15-year-old victim is in a stable condition, authorities said.

A third victim suffered an "non-shooting-related injury" while running away from the scene, police noted.

An investigation into the shooting continues. Authorities said that anyone with information can contact the Police Division's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477). Anonymous tips can also be made using the Police Division’s website.

Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said that "senseless violence" – especially within blocks of a school – will not be tolerated.

“The Newark Police Division will work tirelessly until each suspect in this horrific incident is apprehended,” Fragé said.

Mayor Ras Baraka said that police are working with the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery to ensure that children and families in the nearby community are safe.

"We will increase presence and work with the school to continue to eliminate violence," Baraka said. "Everyone deserves to be safe in and around their school."

"We have zero tolerance for this behavior and will work hard to see that it does not happen," the mayor added.

Gov. Phil Murphy also commented on the shooting, saying that state officials are "coordinating closely" with local law enforcement and have offered support to their peers in Newark.

Tuesday’s shooting isn’t the first time that gun violence has taken place outside West Side High. In 2019, a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old were injured in a shooting outside the school. Police eventually arrested two suspects, ages 16 and 15.

In 2021, a fatal shooting at South Orange Avenue and Ashland Street – about a block away from the school – claimed the life of a 17-year-old victim.

But school administrators have been fighting back against the violence with nationally lauded efforts like West Side’s “Lights On” program, which gives local students a safe place to spend their Friday nights. Read More: Shooting Won't Stop Newark School's Beloved 'Lights On' Events

Newark’s overall violent crime rate has seen major reductions over the past few years, with homicides at an all-time low in Essex County during 2023, authorities recently reported.

• See Related: Homicides At Historic Low In Essex County, Prosecutors Say
• See Related: Newark Crime Rates Remain Historically Low, New FBI Data Shows

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