Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that two people were shot and killed in Newark overnight.
Dechania Edwards, 23, of Newark was fatally shot in the vicinity of 176-178 12th Avenue at approximately 11:16 last night. Police responding to the scene discovered the victim on the sidewalk. She was transported to University Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 11:32 p.m.
Basil Walker, 27, of Newark was fatally shot in the 400 block of South Orange Avenue at approximately 12:57 a.m. He was transported to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:19 a.m. He was shot multiple times. Next of kin have been notified for both victims.
“The shooting of a female last evening and the early-morning shooting today of a male are being investigated by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force. We are working closely with the task force in our quest to quickly apprehend those actors responsible for these egregious acts of violence in our city. We will use every resource to capture the perpetrators. Our citizens can make a difference; anyone with information on either shooting can call our anonymous tip line at 1-877-695-8477,” said Newark Police Director DeMaio.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
