Fund-raiser Launched: Newark Children Stabbed To Death Will Be Remembered, School Says

NEWARK, NJ — An online aid effort has been launched to benefit a Newark family that experienced horrendous tragedy when two children and an adult family member were fatally stabbed last week.

The deceased children attended school at KIPP Seek Academy and BRICK Peshine in Newark, and the fundraising effort will help pay for funeral, medical and other expenses for the affected family, according to a news release.

See the fundraising campaign here.

“This is a tragic loss to us all and both children will be greatly missed by their school communities,” Jessica Shearer of KIPP stated in the release.

Newark police arrested 26-year-old Jeremy Arrington after he reportedly barricaded himself inside a local apartment and drew a large police response that included the U.S. Marshals Service.

Arrington is accused of fatally stabbing Aerial Little Whitehurst, female, 8, of Newark; Al-Jahon Whitehurst, male, 11, of Newark; and Syasia McBurroughs, female, 23, of Cedar Knolls, in addition to injuring three others.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office previously said the crime does not appear to be a random act, saying it believes the suspect had a relationship with one of the victims.

• See related article: N.J. Man Wanted For Killing 3 — 2 Of Them Children — in Custody After Standoff: Prosecutor

“Ariel had so many close friends and she was extremely loved by the entire Seek community,” said KIPP Seek Academy teacher Marya Tambawala. “Whether teachers taught her or not, we all cared for Ariel deeply. Teachers and students will work harder every day to make her proud, as Ariel always made us proud. We didn’t have the privilege of knowing Al-Jahon, but we mourn his loss as well. Ariel and Al-Jahon’s memory will live on through our continued commitment to the Newark community and our students."

To commemorate both children, the school hosted a vigil on Monday that was attended by over 200 people from KIPP, BRICK, and friends and family in the local community.

Photo: GoFundMe

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