Following a recent investigation conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force in coordination with the Newark Police Department, a Newark man is facing charges for murder as well as weapons offenses for allegedly shooting his cousin and his stepmother.
According to Essex County Prosecutor’s chief of detectives, Anthony Ambrose, 47-year-old Antonio Diaz is accused of shooting his cousin, 45-year-old Juan Carlos Diaz, who subsequently died as a result of his injuries. Diaz also allegedly shot his stepmother, although police have yet to disclose the female victim’s identity to the public. Ambrose and Samuel DeMaio, the Newark Police Director, both reported that the female victim, who was shot in the stomach, is currently stable and doctors anticipate that she will recover.
The incident reportedly occurred at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31st on the 100 block of Sussex Avenue in Newark. Shortly thereafter, officers Kenneth Brown and Salvatore Galvano of the Newark Police Department, apprehended Antonio Diaz, who was reportedly in possession of multiple handguns.
Detective Ambrose revealed that Antonio Diaz is the brother of former lieutenant for the Newark Police Department, Victor Diaz. He also eluded to an existing conflict among the cousins before the incident occurred.
Among the charges that Antonio could be facing, murder is considered the most egregious, and could subject him to a term of incarceration ranging from 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison if convicted. Diaz could also be charged with attempted murder in connection with the female victim, which bears a penalty of 10 to 20 years in state prison.
With regard to the weapons offenses for which Diaz could be charged, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, which is governed under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5, warrants a minimum term of imprisonment of 18 months and a maximum term of 10 years, depending on the circumstances of the specific case. Further, he could be charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, which is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4, and is considered a crime of the second degree if the weapon involved is a firearm. Second degree offenses are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Newark man charged with killing cousin, shooting stepmother on New Year’s Eve
