Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II alongside Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in the fatal shooting of Imam Hassan Sharif in Newark in January 2024.
Imam Hassan Sharif was killed outside the Masjid Muhammad-Newark mosque at South Orange Ave and Camden Street early on the morning of January 3, 2024.
Surveillance video shows a man in the area at the time of the shooting. The individual has a distinctive walk which investigators hope will aid with identification.
“This was a senseless act of violence that took the life of a beloved community leader. We have been working tirelessly to find those responsible, but we need the community’s help. We hope that releasing this video will encourage someone with any information to come forward.”, said Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II.
A Crime Stoppers Program reward of up to $35,000 is also being offered for any information that leads to arrests in this case.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office reminds the public that all homicide cases remain open unless and until they are solved. There is no statute of limitations for murder, meaning these cases are never time-barred. In an effort to bring offenders to justice and offer some measure of relief to homicide survivors, the ECPO maintains a Cold Case Unit within the Homicide Task Force. Dedicated detectives continuously review open files, re-examine evidence, and pursue new leads to solve these cases.
Anyone with information regarding the fatal shooting of Imam Sharif is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877 TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will be kept confidential.
