Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Virgil Suggs, 43, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison for the October 2012 murder of Bronique McLeod, a 24-year-old mother of two.

On Oct. 1, 2012, for no apparent reason, Suggs open fire on a van carrying four people while they were stopped at a traffic light in the vicinity of Hawthorne Avenue and Osborne Terrace in Newark. McLeod and a young male were shot. Two other people in the van were not hurt.

McLeod and the other victim were taken to the hospital. She was pronounced dead at 3 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2012. The man’s injuries were not life-threatening.

In June of this year, an Essex County jury convicted Suggs on all counts. In addition to being found guilty of murdering McLeod, Suggs was also found guilty of conspiracy, weapons charges and attempted murder.

At the time of the murder, Suggs had been released on bail for another offense.

Suggs was identified because witnesses said the shooter was wearing a Giants football jersey with the number 98 on it, according to Assistant Prosecutor Gregg Brown, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Paul Bradley. Three days later Suggs was in court on another matter wearing a Giants football jersey with the number 98 on it. The surviving victims identified Suggs as the shooter.

Suggs has a lengthy juvenile criminal history. As an adult he had been arrested 20 times and he has seven adult felony convictions aside from the murder of McLeod and the other charges from this case.

“Without any regard for human life this defendant opened fire on a van of innocent people stopped at a traffic light, killing one and injuring another. Because he poses a serious and continuing threat to the community, we believe the sentence imposed, which will keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, is absolutely appropriate,” said Assistant Prosecutor Brown.

Suggs would have to serve 80 years before he is eligible for parole.

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.