On a late summer evening in Newark, New Jersey, the life of Robert Harrison Jr., a 24-year-old Black / African American man from Irvington, was tragically cut short. On August 19, 2016, at approximately 11:53 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting on Willoughby Street. Upon arrival, they discovered Harrison and a 27-year-old woman, Jessica Tosco of Flemington, both suffering from gunshot wounds.
Harrison was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tosco was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment, but she succumbed to her injuries two days later on August 21st. The double homicide prompted an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force. Their efforts led to the identification of a suspect in the fatal shootings.
Authorities arrested Earl Behlin, a 33-year-old man from Newark, in connection with the deaths of both Harrison and Tosco. He was charged with two counts of murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Following his arrest, Behlin was held at the Essex County Correctional Facility, with his bail set at $2 million, cash only. The swift action by law enforcement brought a suspect into custody, beginning the legal process to seek justice for Robert Harrison Jr. and Jessica Tosco.
