Fatal shooting of 8-year-old is ‘horrible and tragic,’ Newark mayor says and calls for accountability – NJ.com
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Tuesday shared his condolences with the family of the 8-year-old boy who was fatally shot in a city home over the weekend, but said someone should ultimately be held accountable.
The shooting occurred about 10 p.m. Sunday on the 100 block of Schuyler Avenue, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The office is still investigating the shooting and has not yet released the child’s name or the circumstances around the shooting. Baraka said the shooting happened inside the home.
“We don’t see any evidence that that is a part of all the violence that is happening in the street,” Baraka said Monday during a press conference announcing construction on a new public safety training complex. “Right now, this is a horrible and tragic incident that happened in a household.”
“My condolences to the family,” Baraka said. “No matter what goes on, losing an 8-year-old is a tragic event. It is a horrible situation for the family, for everybody involved in it.”
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens and city officials did not release additional information about the shooting during the press conference.
Stephens only said the shooting was under investigation when NJ Advance Media asked if the shooting was accidental. He also did not clarify if the gun in the home was legally owned, citing the pending investigation.
“Whether the gun was legal or illegal it shouldn’t have been in the hands of an 8-year-old,” Baraka said. “At the end of the day, we just have to do better. As a community, we have to do better. And ultimately, somebody should be held accountable.”
A vigil was set up for the 8-year-old boy who was fatally shot in Newark on Aug. 29, 2021. Authorities have not released details around the circumstances of his death.Rebecca Panico | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Newark Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery Director Lakeesha Eure said her team was at the hospital with the family after the shooting.
“While we were at the hospital the other night for the 8-year-old that was shot, it was heartbreaking to see the families cry and be helpless at that moment,” Eure said.
A vigil with candles was set up at the home where the shooting occurred. No one answered the door Tuesday afternoon when NJ Advance Media rang the doorbell.
“Hurt ain’t the word,” wrote one person who signed her name as “mommy” on a posterboard surrounded by candles. “Forever living meer. I <3 you with everything in me.”
Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.