On a Sunday evening in Newark, New Jersey, 18-year-old Wed Thalerand, a young man of Haitian descent, was fatally shot while sitting in an SUV at the intersection of Mapes Terrace and Huntington Terrace in the Weequahic section of the city. The incident occurred around 9:00 p.m. While two other individuals were in the vehicle with Thalerand, they were not harmed.
Born in Haiti on November 26, 2006, Thalerand had moved to the United States in 2016.
He was a dedicated student and athlete, known for his passion for soccer and the video game FIFA. His family remembers him as a kind, loyal, and loving individual whose presence brought joy to those around him. He is survived by his parents, siblings, grandparents, and his girlfriend.
In connection with the fatal shooting, authorities have arrested three individuals: 18-year-old Zaire Kelly of Newark and two juveniles who have not been named. All three face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, felony murder, robbery, and weapons offenses. According to investigators, the assailants approached the vehicle, with one demanding marijuana from a passenger. During the encounter, Kelly allegedly shot Thalerand from the driver's side of the vehicle. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the suspects fleeing the scene and returning to a nearby house, where they were later apprehended. When questioned, Kelly admitted to being armed but denied being the shooter.
