By: Richard L. Smith
What had been a quiet Friday evening for residents along Muhammad Ali Avenue was interrupted by sudden bursts of gunfire, marking the city’s second homicide in less than 24 hours.
According to Essex County Prosecutor’s Office officials, just after 9:15 p.m. on September 26, officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert near the 217–233 block of Muhammad Ali Avenue.
Many residents said they were finishing dinner or preparing to settle in for the night when they heard voices arguing, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire.
Responding officers discovered 49-year-old Newark resident Mr. Shakihl Onion in the rear stairwell near garage number 2E.
He had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his back and hip. Onion was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight.
While some neighbors speculated the dispute may have stemmed from a fight over a parking space, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office investigators have not released an official motive.
The shooting remains under active investigation.
This fatal attack comes as Newark had been experiencing a noticeable decline in shootings in recent weeks, credited to increased patrols and targeted enforcement efforts throughout the city.
Friday night’s violence breaks that brief dry spell, leaving many in the neighborhood shaken and wary.
Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to contact detectives as the investigation continues.