The Essex County Prosecutor's Office are on the search for a suspect who fired over two-dozen rounds of bullets in Newark's South Ward that struck and killed a senior woman Thursday night.
According to authorities, at approximately 8:05 p.m., rapid and repeated gunfire rang out in the vicinity of 178 Lehigh Avenue, sending police officers to the scene to investigate.
Newark Police officers arrived and found Ms. Debra Derrick, 63, unconscious and unresponsive, suffering bullet wounds and a male victim struck by gunfire as well. Derrick was celebrating her 63rd birthday when it appears that she was struck by random gunfire.
Police said both victims were rushed to University Hospital, where Derrick died a short time after arriving. The male victim is reportedly in stable condition.
According to police, a silver vehicle sped away from the scene immediately after the shooting and the occupants inside remain at-large.
Derrick was an employee at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children's Hospital of New Jersey.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has not released the motive for the attack.