On New Year's Day in 2015, a resident of Morristown, New Jersey, 53-year-old Thomas Haskins, was discovered in Newark, the victim of a fatal shooting. The male victim was found inside a vehicle in the vicinity of 29 Homestead Park after Newark police responded to a report at approximately 6:45 p.m. He had an apparent gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after, at 7:04 p.m.
Authorities from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Task Force, which includes
detectives from the Newark Police Department, are handling the ongoing investigation into his death. At this time, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the homicide. Investigators have not released a potential motive for the shooting.
Earlier on the same day, another fatal shooting had occurred in Newark, but law enforcement officials have stated that the two incidents do not appear to be related. Four years prior to his death, in 2011, Haskins had pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He admitted to his involvement with the Fruit Town and Brick City Brims set of the Bloods street gang and a plot to kill a rival gang member. For these charges, he was sentenced to 120 months in prison.
Law enforcement has not indicated whether they believe his past criminal activities are connected to his death. The investigation remains active, and authorities have encouraged anyone with information to come forward.
