In the early hours of a Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, the sound of gunfire shattered the quiet of Kent Street. When police responded to reports of shots fired at approximately 12:07 a.m. on February 10, 2018, they discovered a man lying wounded. The victim was identified as Justin Bethea, a 27-year-old male who had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene and quickly transported Bethea to University Hospital.
Despite the efforts of medical staff, his injuries proved to be too severe. A few hours after the shooting, at 4:49 a.m., Justin Bethea was pronounced dead, turning the investigation over to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force.
In the days that followed, law enforcement officials appealed to the public for any information regarding the fatal shooting. Initially, there was some confusion about Bethea's age, with an early report incorrectly stating he was 17 years old. Authorities later corrected this information, confirming he was 27. As of the latest available reports, the investigation into Bethea's death is active and ongoing. However, no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
