3 Fatal Shootings In Newark, 1 On Independence Day: Police

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities are investigating three separate fatal shootings that took place in Newark over the past two days. One of the shootings also resulted in non-life-threatening injuries to another victim, police said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Department of Public Safety released the following statements about the fatal shootings on Friday.

July 4 (7:30 p.m.) – “Newark police officers were dispatched to the intersection of 16th Avenue and Fairmount Avenue on a report of a shooting in progress. Arriving officers located a male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, who has been identified as Dacraig D. Johnson, 25, of Newark, was transported to University Hospital. Johnson subsequently succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 2:47 p.m. on Thursday, July 5.”

July 5 (10 p.m.) – “Newark officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 100-block of Brunswick Street. Arriving officers located an unresponsive male in a parking lot behind a building. The male was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and he was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:10 p.m.”

July 5 (10:15 p.m.) – “The third incident occurred at approximately 10:15 p.m. in the 100-block of Lincoln Avenue. Newark officers responded to that location on reports of a shooting. The arriving officers observed two males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to University Hospital, where one of the males was pronounced dead at 11:04 p.m. The identity of this victim is being withheld pending notification to next of kin. The second victim from this incident is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.”

All three incidents are being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department. The investigations are active and ongoing, authorities said Friday. Anyone with information can call the Prosecutor's Tips Line at (877) 847-7432.

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