Earlier this month, a man was shot and killed on Chester Avenue near McCarter Highway in Newark, New Jersey.
The gunshot victim was found in the early morning hours on the North Ward street just off the Route 21 overpass. A short time later, the man was pronounced dead.
According to a witness, between 12 and 15 shots were fired around the time of the killing. The witness told interviewers that he wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation by the gunman. It is not clear if the witness spoke with police.
Homicide is the most serious criminal offense in New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3 classifies criminal homicide as a first degree crime. Typically, first degree crimes carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison. However, because of the seriousness of murder, the NJ Criminal Code imposes more severe penalties. In this case, if the shooter is caught and convicted of first degree felony murder, he could be sentenced to life in NJ State Prison.
This summer, Newark police were investigating another homicide that occurred just a few yards away from this latest homicide scene.
For more information, check out the NJ.com article entitled “Man Found Fatally Shot Near Route 21 in Newark.”
