In the early evening of October 28, 2019, tragedy struck in a neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of one family. Avent Holston, a 27-year-old male, was on the 300 block of West Kinney Street when he was fatally shot. Responding to a report of gunfire just before 7 p.m., Newark police officers discovered Holston at the scene.
He was pronounced dead at 7:41 p.m.
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, in conjunction with the Newark Police Department, immediately launched an investigation into the shooting. In the initial stages of the investigation, authorities made a public appeal for information, but no immediate arrests were made. Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose described the incident as 'another example of a senseless loss of life due to the prevalence of illegal guns on our streets.'
Several months later, a breakthrough in the case was announced. On January 22, 2020, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed the arrest of 26-year-old Hassan S. Shoulars of Newark. Shoulars was charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with Avent Holston's death. At the time of Shoulars' arrest, the investigation was still described as active and ongoing. Law enforcement officials announced a reward of up to $5,000 for information that could lead to the arrest of any other individuals involved in the homicide.
