Crime & Safety
Newark Teen Accused Of Stabbing Fellow Student To Death: ECPO
A Newark teen allegedly broke into a high school student's home and stabbed him to death. He also stabbed an 11-year-old boy, police said.
NEWARK, NJ — A Newark teen has been charged with murder after he allegedly broke into a fellow Barringer High School student’s home and stabbed him to death earlier this week, authorities announced Wednesday.
The 16-year-old Newark resident – whose name isn’t being released because of his age – also stabbed an 11-year-old boy during the encounter, which took place Dec. 10 on the 100-block of Park Avenue, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police arrested the juvenile suspect and charged him with felony murder, attempted murder, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
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On Wednesday, authorities identified the deceased victim as Elijah Alvarez, 15, of Newark.
The incident took place near Barringer High School, but a spokesperson with the prosecutor’s office previously said there isn’t any indication the stabbing was connected to the school.
Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- See related article: 2 Teens Stabbed Near Newark High School, 1 Dies
The motive of the attack is “unclear at this time,” prosecutors said Wednesday.
Prosecutors are expected to seek to waive the defendant up to adult court.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is conducting an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Mayor Ras Baraka issued a statement about the stabbing on Wednesday:
“As a city, we mourn the loss of Elijah Alvarez, and we pray for the physical and emotional recovery of his 11-year-old brother injured in the attack on Tuesday morning. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims’ family and the community, and for a speedy recovery of the younger brother. The police worked with investigative speed and efficiency to identify and arrest the suspect within hours of the crime. This was great work by the Newark police and Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.”
Arrest made in Park Ave homicide of 15 yr old boy. Great work by @NewarkNJPolice and Prosecutors office, in less than 16 hours. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims family and community. And we wish a speedy recovery to the younger brother.
— Ras J. Baraka (@rasjbaraka) December 11, 2019
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