In a tragic turn of events, a young life was cut short on November 3, 2016, in Orange, New Jersey. Marcus Milien, a one-year-old male, was fatally shot while on the front porch of a residence on Cleveland Avenue. The violence of that day also claimed the life of his 21-year-old uncle, Morlens Milice. Two other individuals were wounded in the attack, including the toddler's father and a 15-year-old boy.
The group was gathered on the porch of the two-family home when a gunman approached and opened fire. The victims attempted to flee inside the house as the assailant fled the scene. The community was left in shock by the brazen daylight shooting, which occurred near an elementary school.
The incident prompted a swift and intensive investigation by law enforcement.
In the wake of the shooting, authorities identified a suspect, 28-year-old Stevenson Valentin of Maplewood. He was apprehended in Newark during a traffic stop. Valentin was subsequently charged with two counts of murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and weapons offenses in connection with the deadly shooting. His bail was set at $1 million, and he was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility. While an arrest has been made, the motive for the shooting has not been publicly disclosed.
