Ziyad Cook, a 16-year-old male, was a promising student-athlete whose life was tragically cut short. On the evening of June 26, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey, Ziyad was with a friend near the 200 block of Brookdale Avenue when gunfire erupted. Both he and a 17-year-old companion were struck by bullets.
Following the shooting, which occurred around 6:00 p.m., both teenagers were transported to University Hospital for medical attention.
While the 17-year-old was listed in critical condition, Ziyad Cook succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 9:19 p.m. that evening. The community of Irvington, where Ziyad was a student at Irvington High School, mourned the loss of a young man known for his dedication to both academics and football.
As of the latest reports, the investigation into the fatal shooting is active and ongoing, led by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force. Authorities have not yet released a motive for the shooting, and no suspects have been identified or arrested in connection with Ziyad Cook's death. The community continues to seek answers as they remember a life full of potential that was senselessly taken.
