In the late summer afternoon of September 14, 2019, tragedy struck in Newark, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of many. Hassan 'Jungle' Ward, a 30-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in a brazen act of violence that also claimed the life of his friend, Jasson Duffy, who was the same age. A third person, a woman who happened to be in the vicinity, was also struck by a stray bullet and was left in critical condition. The incident unfolded around 2:30 p.m. near a funeral home on Mercer Street, a location that would ironically become the backdrop for a devastating loss of life.
Reports from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office indicate that Ward and Duffy were sitting outside when they were approached by an unknown individual who opened fire on them. The sudden and violent ambush left both men with fatal injuries, and the community in a state of shock and mourning.
The investigation into the double homicide was immediately launched by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department. Despite their efforts, the case has remained unsolved, with no suspects identified or apprehended in connection with the shooting.
In the wake of the killings, law enforcement officials have continued to appeal to the public for assistance in bringing those responsible to justice. The Essex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers Program has offered a significant reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator or perpetrators. The families of Hassan Ward and Jasson Duffy continue to await answers and closure as the investigation into this senseless act of violence remains active and ongoing. The community is left to grapple with the loss of two of its own, a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence.
