Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today Virgil Suggs, 42, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Bronique McLeod, 24, of Newark.
McLeod was shot while sitting in a vehicle in the 300 block of Hawthorne Avenue in Newark at approximately 11:28 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 1. She was pronounced dead Oct. 2, at 3 a.m. at University Hospital.
Suggs is scheduled to be arraigned tomorrow morning before the Honorable Peter J. Vazquez, J.S.C.
Director DeMaio stated, “I am pleased with the swift apprehension of a suspect in this case. I applaud the unwavering dedication and professionalism displayed by of each of the investigators assigned to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force.”
Mayor Cory A. Booker said, “I commend the collaboration of the dedicated men and women of the Newark Police Department with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for arresting a suspect in a homicide today and getting another suspect in a violent crime off Newark streets. I applaud their continued efforts as they risk their lives every day to keep our residents and neighborhoods safe. We will not tolerate criminal activity in our communities and these offenders will not go unpunished. If you break the law in Newark, you will be caught and justice will be served in order to keep our Newark streets and communities safe. I applaud our Police Department, law enforcement partners, and our community leaders who are diligently working together to reduce crime in Newark with exemplary courage and vigilance. We need our community’s continuous support of the Police Department investigations. We urge residents with information about any crimes to call the Department’s 24 hour ‘Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 877 NWK-TIPS (877 695-8477) or NWK-GUNS (877 695-4867). Tips leading to arrests and indictments could result in cash rewards of up to $2,000 to the person who provides the information or $1,000 per gun for calls into the Gun hotline.”
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
No other information is available at this time. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
