In the early afternoon of a Thursday in Newark's North Ward, the Stephen Crane housing community was disrupted by the sound of gunfire. When the chaos subsided, 34-year-old Raheem Colwell, a male resident of Newark, was found with devastating gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder. First responders rushed to the scene within the housing complex, located in the 60s block of Cedar Lane, and quickly transported Colwell to University Hospital in an effort to save his life.
Despite the
urgent medical attention, the injuries proved to be too severe. Raheem Colwell was pronounced dead at 1:35 p.m. on October 2, 2025. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office promptly launched a homicide investigation into the fatal shooting. Investigators began to piece together the events that led to the deadly encounter, with early reports suggesting a suspect may have fled the area, heading toward the Belleville border as law enforcement secured the crime scene.
In the days following the shooting, authorities confirmed that the investigation remained active and ongoing, though they had not yet publicly identified any suspects or detailed a possible motive for the killing. As of the initial reports, no arrests had been made in connection with Raheem Colwell's death, leaving his family and community awaiting answers. Friends and family remembered Colwell as a good and respectful person who loved his children more than anything in the world. Funeral services were held to honor his memory as the investigation into his untimely death continued.
