Newark Frustrated After Another Violent Night

Another night, another string of violence across Newark.

Police are looking for suspects after three shootings in New Jersey's largest city left a teenager dead and 12 people wounded.

The 15-year-old, Aziz Stewart, was killed Monday and seven others were wounded in a shooting along Sheerer Avenue at about 10 p.m., Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said.

Two other victims were treated and released, and the others from that incident were in stable condition.

City Councilman Ras Baraka said he heard the gunfire.

"My neighbor thought it was firecrackers," he said. "We looked down the street and saw commotion."

Prosecutors said the teen was standing with a group when someone in a dark SUV opened fire on the crowd. The identity of the target is not known.

Shayanna Bradley, Stewart's sister, says he wasn't involved with gangs or drugs.

"I feel like he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.

Authorities said they haven't ruled out the possibility that the shooting on Sheerer Street was related to one of two other shootings earlier in the night.

Earlier in the evening, a woman was shot in the city's Central Ward.     

Three men and a woman were then wounded along Halsey Street around 6:30 p.m. in yet another incident.

Acting Police Director Samuel DeMaio says the shootings "are not only a tragedy for the victims and their families, but it is also tragic for our city to face yet another wave of senseless violence."

The violent night comes a week after three people were killed in separate Newark shootings on July 4.

Rev. Steven Davis, of Calvary Gospel Church, said the ongoing bloodshed is troubling for the community.

"I have to honestly say I get frustrated," he said.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us