In a tragic incident that unfolded in a quiet parking lot, 37-year-old Francis Medina was fatally shot in Belleville, New Jersey. The shooting occurred on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m. outside an apartment building located on Mill Street. Medina was in the company of two of his children when the attack took place.
According to police reports, officers responded to a call of a shooting and discovered Medina suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Clara Maass Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. In the chaos of the gunfire, one of Medina's children, a 4-year-old boy, was also struck by a bullet. The child was rushed to a nearby hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Witnesses at the scene reported seeing a car speeding away from the parking lot immediately after the sound of gunshots.
Investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide Task Force spent hours combing through the crime scene for evidence. A red minivan, with the key still in the driver's side door, was among the vehicles towed from the location as part of the ongoing investigation.
As of the initial reports, a motive for the deadly shooting had not been determined by authorities. The investigation into the death of Francis Medina is active and ongoing. Law enforcement officials have not publicly identified any suspects, and no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is being urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
