In the early morning hours of March 2, 2020, the life of Zakee Cooper, a 36-year-old Black male from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was tragically cut short on a street in Elizabeth. Responding to reports of a shooting at approximately 2 a.m., Elizabeth Police Department patrol units arrived at the 1000 block of North Broad Street to a grim scene. They discovered Cooper suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite any efforts that may have been made to save him, he was pronounced dead at the location.
The incident prompted an immediate and active investigation, bringing together the resources of several law enforcement agencies. The Union County Prosecutor's Office's Homicide Task Force took the lead, working in conjunction with the Elizabeth Police Department, the Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit, and the Union County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Unit. The collaborative effort aimed to piece together the events that led to Cooper's violent death.
In the wake of the shooting, authorities appealed to the public for assistance in solving the case. The Union County Crime Stoppers offered a substantial reward of up to $10,000 for any information that would lead to the arrest and indictment of the individual or individuals responsible for Zakee Cooper's murder. Investigators urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward, providing contact information for the Homicide Task Force. As of the initial reports, no suspects had been identified, and no arrests had been made in connection with the fatal shooting. The investigation into the death of Zakee Cooper remains ongoing as authorities continue to seek justice for the 36-year-old man.
