In the early evening of March 4, 2023, tragedy struck on a Newark street, leaving two men dead and a community searching for answers. Sajade A. Nichols, a 35-year-old Black male from Carteret, New Jersey, was one of the victims in a fatal shooting that unfolded on the 700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. The incident occurred at approximately 5:06 p.m. when gunfire erupted, drawing the attention of Newark police.
Upon their arrival, officers discovered a grim scene.
Nichols was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds and was rushed to University Hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he was pronounced dead at 5:54 p.m. A second man, who remains unidentified, was also found at the scene with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at 5:25 p.m.
Witnesses reported that the shooting happened outside a corner grocery store at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Spruce Street. It is alleged that the assailants fired multiple shots from a dark-colored Mercedes-Benz that had temporary license plates before quickly fleeing the area. The motive for the shooting has not been released by authorities.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is leading the ongoing and active investigation into the double homicide. As of the latest available reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the deaths of Sajade A. Nichols and the second victim. Authorities have urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line to assist in their investigation.
