In the spring of 2020, a Sunday afternoon in Newark was shattered by gunfire that claimed the life of 27-year-old Haneef Sanders. On May 25th, in the area of 98 Maple Avenue, Sanders was shot in an incident that prompted an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.
Emergency responders rushed the young man to Beth Israel Hospital following the shooting.
Despite their efforts, Haneef Sanders was pronounced dead at approximately 2:15 p.m. that day. His death was one of several violent crimes being investigated by county officials.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, authorities announced that the investigation was active and ongoing. Law enforcement officials did not immediately release details about a potential motive or any individuals they were seeking in connection with the fatal event. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to contact their tips line and assuring that all calls would be kept confidential. As of the days following the incident, no arrests had been made, and no suspects had been publicly identified.
