By: Richard L. Smith
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating a shooting in Newark’s South Ward that left two women wounded and a 37-year-old male suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday morning.
The incident happened at approximately 10:30 a.m. at 772 Bergen Street, where Newark Police responded after receiving reports of shots fired.
Upon arrival, officers found two women suffering from gunshot wounds. A 29-year-old woman was shot in the abdomen and was listed in critical but stable condition, while a 37-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and was reported in stable condition.
According to preliminary information, witnesses told police that the suspected shooter, identified as 37-year-old Mr. Duquan Leonard, had gone back inside the residence following the gunfire.
The situation prompted authorities to summon Newark Police tactical units to the scene as officers treated the incident as a barricade situation.
Police eventually made their way inside the residence, where Leonard was found suffering from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Residents in the community said that an argument or dispute occurred shortly before the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the dispute and what may have triggered the gunfire have not been confirmed by authorities.
People familiar with Leonard expressed shock over the incident, telling RLS Media that he was particularly close to his sisters and was known as a family-oriented person.
“He loved his sister so much, and Leonard was family oriented,” one person familiar with the family told RLS Media.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed a motive or released additional details regarding the relationship between Leonard and the two injured women.
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under an active investigation by law enforcement authorities.