Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Kyron Washington, 23, of Newark has been arrested and charged with the murder of Arlene Fields, 42, of East Orange.
Fields was fatally shot on Thursday night at 799 Broad Street in Newark, approximately 500 feet from Branford Place. A 31-year-old Newark man was also shot but survived. Washington was charged with attempted murder for that shooting along with weapons offenses.
Within 18 hours of the shooting Washington was identified as the shooter and warrants were issued for his arrest. He was apprehended today without incident at an apartment in Newark at approximately 11 a.m. Officers from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, working with the FBI Fugitive Task Force, made the arrest.
Washington will be transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility. He is expected to make his first court appearance later this week. Bail has been set at $750,000 by the Honorable Michael A. Ravin, J.S.C.
Acting Prosecutor Murray commended the Major Crimes Units of the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office along with the FBI Fugitive Task Force for identifying the suspect and making an arrest so swiftly.
“The officers involved in this case have done extraordinary work. From the time the first shots rang out on Thursday evening until today, they have worked tirelessly to identify the person who took the life of Ms. Fields and to make an arrest,’’ said Acting Prosecutor Murray.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
