On what had been a quiet Friday evening, the residents of Muhammad Ali Avenue in Newark had their peace shattered by the sound of arguing voices, quickly followed by the eruption of gunfire. This sudden violence on September 26, 2025, marked the city's second homicide in less than a day, leaving the community shaken. Responding to a ShotSpotter alert just after 9:15 p.m., police officers arrived at the 217–233 block of the avenue to a grim discovery.
In a rear stairwell near a garage,
they found 49-year-old Shakihl Onion, a Black male resident of Newark, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his back and hip. He was rushed to University Hospital in a desperate attempt to save his life, but his injuries were too severe. He was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. The motive for this brutal act remains unconfirmed by investigators, though some neighbors have speculated that the fatal confrontation may have started as a simple dispute over a parking space, a mundane disagreement that tragically escalated to a deadly conclusion.
As the community grapples with this senseless loss of life, the investigation into Shakihl Onion's death continues. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with the Newark police, is actively pursuing leads. However, in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The lack of a confirmed motive or a named person of interest leaves a void of uncertainty and a lingering sense of unease for those who live and work in the area. Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that might help bring those responsible for this act of violence to justice.
