In the late afternoon of a chaotic Wednesday in Newark, New Jersey, the sound of gunfire shattered the routine of a school dismissal. Just before 4 p.m. in the 800 block of South 17th Street, a shooting erupted, leaving two men struck by bullets and sending panicked students running for cover. One of the victims was 26-year-old Karon Gray, a male resident of a nearby address. Gray suffered a fatal gunshot wound to his abdomen and was found at 858 South 17th St.
Emergency responders administered CPR at the scene before rushing him to University Hospital. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m.
The second victim, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm, fled the scene but was later located on the nearby South 16th Street. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into the fatal shooting, which they have described as an active and ongoing homicide investigation. So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a man fleeing the area on a dirt bike moments after the shots were fired. Authorities believe this individual may be responsible for the shooting. The investigation continues as law enforcement officials work to piece together the events of that tragic afternoon and bring justice for Karon Gray.
