On a Monday afternoon in Newark, a life was cut short in a burst of violence that left authorities searching for answers. Anthony M. McGriff, a 34-year-old Black male from Lawrenceville, was on the 100 block of Prince Street on April 12, 2021, when he was shot. The incident occurred at approximately 4:23 p.m., a time when the city was bustling with its usual weekday activity.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and McGriff was quickly transported to University Hospital.
Despite the efforts of medical personnel, his injuries proved to be fatal. He was pronounced dead at 5:08 p.m., less than an hour after the shooting. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with detectives from the Newark Police Department, immediately launched an investigation into the fatal event.
In the weeks and months that followed, the investigation remained active and ongoing. Authorities publicly stated that no arrests had been made in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. By June of that year, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office announced they were seeking assistance from the public to identify a person of interest in connection with the case. Law enforcement continued to appeal to the community for any information that might lead to the apprehension of the individual or individuals responsible for McGriff's death, emphasizing that calls would be kept confidential. The case remains a priority for local law enforcement as they continue to seek justice for the victim.
