Newark ‘Shocked, Disgusted’ As Wave Of Shootings Rocks City

NEWARK, NJ — What was behind a night of senseless violence that left eight people wounded in Newark? “Illegal guns in the hands of violent criminals,” city officials say.

Newark public safety officials have confirmed that four separate shootings took place on Tuesday night. Authorities said eight people suffered non-fatal wounds, including several juveniles (see details below).

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Brian O’Hara released a joint statement about the shootings on Wednesday, calling them “senseless violence.”

According to the two officials:

“Newark police shooting response team detectives are vigorously investigating four non-fatal incidents of gun violence that occurred last night, resulting in eight victims. We are shocked and disgusted by this outrageous level of senseless violence and it will not be tolerated. While we continue to work intensively around the clock with our law enforcement partners, as evidenced made by the illegal guns recovered and arrests in the last 24 hours, we need the entire judicial system to help us as many of these persons involved were released into the community despite having pending criminal cases and previous weapons offenses. Without fail, our patrol officers immediately responded to each incident, rendering aid until EMS arrived. This level of gun violence is entirely unacceptable and we implore all concerned community members, who are also rightfully outraged, to come forward with any information that can assist us in identifying these suspects, who have callously inflicted violence on our streets.”

Police said anyone with information about Tuesday’s shootings can call 1-877-NWK-TIPS.

Newark authorities released the following details about each shooting:

LINCOLN AND COURT – “Newark police are investigating the shooting of two adult males in the area of Lincoln Street and Court Street that occurred just before 6:25 p.m. One victim is reportedly in critical condition, while the second victim’s condition is listed as stable.”

QUITMAN NEAR MONTGOMERY – “Just before 8:10 p.m., two juvenile male victims, ages 15 and 17, were located by police shot while riding in a stolen car in the area of Quitman Street near Montgomery Street. Both victims are reportedly in critical condition.”

MAYBAUM NEAR TREMONT – “In a separate shooting incident at Maybaum Avenue near Tremont Avenue, police located one male who had been shot just before 8:40 p.m. While police were with the victim at University Hospital, a second shooting victim, a 15-year-old male juvenile, arrived. Both victims are reportedly in stable condition.”

17TH AND HUNTERDON – “At approximately 10:10 p.m., police responded to the area of 17th Avenue and Hunterdon Street where they located a man who had been shot. The victim was transported to University Hospital, where he is reportedly in stable condition. A second adult male victim arrived at the hospital in a private vehicle. Both victims are reportedly in stable condition.”

Shooting detectives are also investigating an incident on the 100-block of Telford Street, where an arrest was made following a firearm discharge, authorities said.

ILLEGAL GUNS

Baraka and O’Hara alleged that “illegal guns” are partly to blame for Tuesday night’s wave of violence. They said:

“We firmly believe that these incidents stem from the proliferation of illegal guns in the hands of violent criminals who have no regard to the sanctity of life or property. While New Jersey has some of the strictest gun laws in our nation, people who absolutely should not have guns possess them illegally.”

So far this year, Newark police have recovered 696 illegal weapons, up 32 percent from the same period last year. Police also recovered 32 “ghost guns” so far in 2021, as compared to seven in 2020, reflecting a 357 percent increase.

“We have executed warrants this morning related to recent gun violence, recovering an illegal handgun and an assault rifle,” Baraka and O’Hara said. “We are also continuing to follow up on all available leads to ensure that persons perpetrating harm through gun violence are brought to justice.”

However, more accountability is needed throughout the entire justice system, they added.

“Because courts had been closed due to the pandemic, many of the persons involved in the recent violence have pending criminal cases, despite having previous weapons offenses,” Baraka and O’Hara said.

Newark police have made 10 illegal weapons arrests in the last week, they added.

Meanwhile, police continue to pursue leads on other shootings that have taken place in the city. According to authorities, the following arrests were recently made:

• “A 15-year-old male was arrested Wednesday for a shooting that occurred on the 400-block of 17th Street on November 6, 2021.”
• “Quashawn Davis, 21, of Irvington, and Hakir Hodges, 25, of Newark, were arrested Wednesday and each face separate charges in connection with the investigation of a shooting incident that occurred on the 300-block of Lyons Avenue on October 23, 2021.”
• “Samirah Sawab, also known as Samirah Finklea, 30, of Newark, was arrested Tuesday. She faces charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and conspiracy for a shooting that occurred at Avon Avenue and Hillside Avenue.”

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