In the South Ward of Newark, New Jersey, a life was tragically cut short on a Saturday afternoon. Dax M. Rowland, a 28-year-old male, was shot multiple times on March 16, 2019, in the 300 block of Renner Avenue, near the intersection with Goodwin Avenue. The shooting occurred at approximately 4:04 p.m. Emergency services rushed him to University Hospital, but his injuries proved fatal, and he was pronounced dead at 6:21 p.m.
The investigation into the death of Dax Rowland was conducted
by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which included detectives from the Newark Police Department. Initially, no arrests were made, and the investigation remained active and ongoing as authorities appealed to the public for any information that could lead to an arrest.
Ultimately, an arrest was made, and Marcus Harris, a man from Plainfield, was charged with the murder. According to prosecutors, the shooting followed an argument between Harris and Rowland at the intersection where the incident took place. In December 2024, Marcus Harris, then 48, was convicted of first-degree murder and multiple firearms offenses. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Dax Rowland. Under New Jersey law, Harris will be required to serve at least 63 years before he becomes eligible for parole.
