Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Irvington man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man in 2021, in a case of mistaken identity.
Assistant Prosecutor Brian Pollock and Assistant Prosecutor Christian Marin tried the case before the Honorable Christopher Romanyshyn, J.S.C. who presided over both the trial and the sentencing.
On February 5, 2026, David Parker, 23, of Irvington, was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy to commit murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Parker was convicted in the fatal shooting of Prince Sweeney, 35, of East Orange, on August 9, 2021.
The prosecution proved that Parker, his brother Rahman Polen, and two others drove to North Munn Street in East Orange in a stolen sports car, seeking retaliation for the 2017 gang-related shooting of Polen.
Sweeney was walking down North Munn Street when the defendant’s vehicle pulled alongside him. Parker and the other occupants exchanged words with Sweeney before the vehicle drove away. Believing-mistakenly-that Sweeney was a member of the rival Crips gang, Parker who is associated with the Bloods, exited the vehicle and fired 10 rounds from an MP15 rifle. Sweeney was struck once in the chest resulting in his death.
Under the No Early Release Act (NERA), Parker must serve 85 percent of the 40-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
The public is encouraged to report any information related to criminal activity by contacting the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
DAVID PARKER
