In the morning hours of August 6, 2018, Godfrey J. Jones Jr., a 25-year-old male, was seated on a bench in Weequahic Park in Newark, New Jersey. He was in the company of a female companion when two men approached them. The encounter took a fatal turn when the men inquired about Jones's name, and before he could respond, one of them opened fire. The shooting occurred at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and Sheriff's officers discovered Jones suffering
from gunshot wounds. He was transported to University Hospital for medical attention. Despite efforts to save him, Godfrey Jones Jr. succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 5:27 p.m. that evening.
The investigation into the homicide was launched by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force. As of late 2024, no arrests have been made in the case, and the shooting remains unsolved. Authorities have released descriptions of the two suspects, who are identified as two Black males. One suspect was described as thin and wearing a baseball cap with white lettering, while the other was described as having a heavier build and wearing a stocking cap over a full head of hair. The suspects were reportedly seen leaving the area in a four-door Nissan Altima, model year between 2015 and 2018. To encourage witnesses to come forward with information that could lead to an arrest and conviction, the Essex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers Program has offered a reward, which was increased to $15,000.
