In the North Ward of Newark, New Jersey, on the afternoon of October 14, 2020, Roger Coleman, a Black/African American male known to many as 'Snap,' was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 5 p.m. in the 90's block of 7th Avenue, a place he was known to frequent. A father of three young children, two boys and a girl, his life was abruptly ended by gunfire.
When officers from the Essex County Sheriff's Office, NJIT, and Newark Police departments arrived at the scene following
reports of shots fired, they were met with a large and uncooperative crowd. Once they were able to secure the area, they discovered Coleman with gunshot wounds to his head. Medical personnel pronounced him dead at the scene. In the immediate aftermath, one individual was detained by NJIT police and a weapon was recovered, but authorities did not immediately confirm a link to Coleman's death.
The investigation into the shooting continued, and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office later announced that charges had been filed. Jose Lopez, 20 years old at the time, was identified as a suspect and charged with the murder of Roger Coleman. Lopez was reportedly wanted in connection with other homicides in Essex County. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation by authorities.
