Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable have announced that authorities are investigating two shooting homicides in Newark this weekend.
According to authorities, the first incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in the 100 block of Irving Street, where officers responded to a shooting call shortly before 3:30 p.m. Arriving officers located one male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
Authorities said, the male was transported to University Hospital, where he is currently hospitalized in stable condition. A second victim was transported to St. Michael's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:44 p.m., according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit.
The deceased victim has been identified as Miguel Lopez, Jr., age 27, of Elizabeth, according to Fennelly, who added that the identity of the surviving victim is being withheld for security reasons.
The second homicide occurred at approximately 10:30 am today (Sunday) in the area of Cypress Street, where Newark officers responded to a report of a shooting in progress. Arriving officers located a male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. This victim was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:16 a.m. The identity of this victim is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, according to Fennelly.
Both incidents are being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.
Both investigations are active and ongoing at this time, according to Fennelly, who added that the incidents do not appear to be related. Anyone with information is asked to contact Task Force detectives at (877) 847-7432 or (973) 621-4586.