Double Shooting In Newark Adds To Grim Wave Of Violence

NEWARK, NJ — Newark experienced some dramatic drops in crime during 2023, with the city seeing its lowest number of homicides since 1960. But a recent spike in deadly violence is getting the new year off to a tragic start in New Jersey’s largest city.

On Thursday evening, a double shooting left one person dead and another wounded on the 700-block of Martin Luther King Boulevard, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Newark police arrived at the scene at 6:21 p.m. to find Sabree L. Gantt, 35, of Newark, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to University Hospital and pronounced dead at 7:54 p.m., authorities said.

Another victim was wounded by gunfire in the attack and hospitalized, but is listed in stable condition, prosecutors said Friday.

No arrests have been made, authorities said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the shooting. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

Thursday’s fatal shooting is one of several deadly episodes of gunfire that have taken place in Newark over the past weeks.

On Wednesday, an imam was fatally shot outside of a local mosque at the corner of South Orange Avenue and Camden Street. Read More: 'Turn Yourself In': Sorrow, Anger In Newark After Imam's Slaying

Later that day, another fatal shooting took place on the 100-block of Ridgewood Avenue. An unidentified male victim was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead.

A fatal shooting claimed the life of a 67-year-old Newark resident on the 100-block of Malvern Street on New Year’s Eve.

The previous week, three men were shot to death in separate incidents in Newark over four days, including on Christmas Day. Read More: 3 People Shot To Death In Newark, Including On Holiday

Despite the latest shootings, violent crime has been dropping in New Jersey's largest city, statistics show.

According to city officials, Newark saw reductions in almost every violent crime category last year. Read More: Newark Is Becoming A Safer Place To Live, 2023 Crime Stats Show

FBI statistics show that Newark has been seeing a drop in overall violent crime since 1990, when 10,684 violent crimes were reported in the city. Read More: Newark Crime Rates Remain Historically Low, New FBI Data Shows

Similar drops in violent crime have recently been reported on the county level.

According to prosecutors, there has been a 27 percent drop in homicides over the past year in Essex County, which includes Newark. Authorities said that 45 of the homicides were firearm-related. In addition, eight involved stabbings, and four were connected to domestic-violence. Read More: Homicides At Historic Low In Essex County, Prosecutors Say

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