In the late hours of May 29, 2013, the life of 29-year-old Laqueebah Murray, a Black female from Newark, New Jersey, was tragically cut short. At approximately 11:35 p.m., gunfire erupted near 78 North Munn Avenue, leaving Murray with fatal injuries. She was rushed to University Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after her arrival. Two men were also wounded in the shooting but survived their injuries.
The Newark Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the
brazen act of violence. Their efforts led them to two individuals, and on June 11, 2013, arrests were made. Stephon Harris, 22 years old at the time, was taken into custody at a residence on Shepherd Avenue. A 15-year-old male was also apprehended at a separate location on Fairmount Avenue.
Both Harris and the teenaged suspect faced a litany of serious charges, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, weapons offenses, and two counts of aggravated assault for the injuries sustained by the other two victims. A judge set Stephon Harris's bail at $1 million. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office was heavily involved in the investigation and urged the public to come forward with any additional information.
