Authorities in Newark recovered a firearm in a North Ward park on Saturday evening.
The defaced weapon was reportedly located by an off-duty police officer near the Adubato Sports Complex in Branch Brook Park before 7 p.m.
The Essex County Sheriff's Office assisted at the location and noticed that the serial number was not on the weapon.
There were no reports of shots fired inside the park and the incident is under investigation.
Police believe that the weapon was discarded inside the park.