By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man has been convicted of aggravated assault and weapons offenses stemming from a 2024 shooting in which authorities said he opened fire on a man before chasing him through the area.
According to information released by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, a jury found 53-year-old Shamsuddin Lockett guilty on August 14 following approximately two days of deliberations.
Prosecutors said the incident occurred on February 23, 2024, after Lockett arrived in the area of Elizabeth Avenue and began pacing, appearing to wait for someone.
At approximately 7:12 a.m., an unidentified man was walking along East Alpine Street toward Elizabeth Avenue when authorities said Lockett pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired a shot in his direction.
The victim was not struck and ran from the area. Prosecutors said Lockett chased after the man but was unable to find him before leaving the neighborhood using a car service.
Investigators ultimately used surveillance footage and cellphone records to identify and arrest Lockett.
The jury convicted Lockett of aggravated assault for attempting to cause bodily injury with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. Jurors also determined that Lockett qualified as a persistent offender.
Assistant Prosecutors Mattison Monteleone and Kathryn Zangari prosecuted the case before Superior Court Judge Joseph Minish.
Following the verdict, Monteleone said the conviction demonstrates that street violence will not be tolerated, adding that although the victim escaped injury, the seriousness of Lockett’s actions remained unchanged.