On a late summer afternoon in Newark, New Jersey, the life of 23-year-old Damien Matteaux was tragically cut short. On September 14, 2013, Matteaux, a Black male, was found shot and killed in a parked vehicle in the city's West Ward, near the intersection of South 10th Street and 15th Avenue. He was not alone; beside him was his 16-year-old cousin, Nyquese McCollum, who also succumbed to gunshot wounds.
The two were pronounced dead at the scene around 3:40 p.m.
At the time of the incident, Matteaux and his cousin were reportedly on their way to pick up his girlfriend from her job. Investigators from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office have stated their belief that Damien Matteaux was the intended target of the shooting. Despite this assertion, a clear motive for the attack has never been publicly established, leaving a veil of uncertainty over the violent events of that day. The deaths of Matteaux and McCollum marked the 63rd and 64th homicides in Newark that year, contributing to a period of heightened violence in the city.
In the immediate aftermath of the double homicide, law enforcement officials confirmed that no arrests had been made and no suspects had been identified. The investigation into the deaths of Damien Matteaux and Nyquese McCollum remains open. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office continues to appeal to the public for any information that might lead to a breakthrough in the case. To date, the case remains unresolved, and the individuals responsible for the deaths of the two cousins have not been brought to justice.
