On a tragic evening in Newark, New Jersey, a man's life was cut short in a selfless act. Akram Rasool Brown, a 42-year-old Black man, was fatally shot on May 19, 2021. The incident occurred on Mt. Vernon Place in the city's West Ward. Reports from that day paint a picture of heroism in the face of sudden violence, as it is believed Brown was shielding a two-year-old child from a spray of bullets when he was struck.
A local business owner, Brown was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:02 PM.
The investigation into the death of Akram Rasool Brown was a collaborative effort between the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and detectives from the Newark Police Department. Their work led to a significant development in the case a little over a month later. On June 24, 2021, authorities arrested 19-year-old Deautay M. Haines of Jersey City in connection with the fatal shooting.
Deautay M. Haines was subsequently charged with murder, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Following his arrest, he was taken to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark. The case against Haines is being handled by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, with assistance from the Jersey City Police Department.
