Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington Police Director Tracy Bowers announced today that two men have been arrested for the murder of Shaqkille Kirkland and Dashawn James. At approximately 5:44 on Nov. 22, 2014, Irvington Police responded to multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the 600 block of Chancellor Avenue. When they arrived on the scene they discovered Kirkland, 20, of Irvington had been fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene. James, 20, of Irvington was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. An investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, which includes detectives from the Irvington Police Department, led to warrants being issued for the arrest of Altariq Thomas, 28, and Aljumar Derrick, 24, both of Irvington. On Friday morning, Jan. 9, Irvington Police officers arrested the two in Irvington. They are both charged with two counts of murder and multiple weapons offenses. Derrick and Thomas are currently being held in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. Bail was set at $1 million by the Honorable Judge Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division, for both defendants. These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Arrested for Double Irvington Homicides
Irvington Township