Newark, NJ – Fatal Shooting Near South Ward School Sparks Panic During Student Dismissal
NEWARK, NJ – A tragic and unsettling scene unfolded in Newark’s South Ward late Tuesday afternoon, as a fatal shooting took place just steps away from a local school during student dismissal, sending terrified children and families scrambling for safety.
📍 The Incident
Gunfire erupted at approximately 3:50 p.m. in the 800 block of South 17th Street, a residential stretch near several schools and community facilities. According to officials from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, the shooting prompted an immediate and overwhelming response from law enforcement agencies as calls poured in reporting shots fired near a school zone.
When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered multiple shell casings strewn across the area and two men suffering from gunshot wounds.
🔫 Victims Identified
One of the victims, 26-year-old Karon Gray, was found with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Authorities say Gray lived at a nearby address on the same block and was found close to his residence. Officers administered CPR on-site before Gray was rushed to University Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead at 4:30 p.m.
A second man, whose identity has not been released, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the arm. He reportedly fled the scene and was later located by police on South 16th Street, just one block over from the original crime scene.
🚨 Chaos Near a School Zone
The timing and location of the shooting intensified the tragedy. The gunfire broke out during school dismissal, with children walking home and families present in the neighborhood.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene of students screaming and running for cover, with some ducking behind parked cars or dashing into homes and nearby businesses to escape the sound of gunfire.
“This was right when kids were leaving school,” said one local resident. “I saw kids running and crying, not knowing where to go. It was chaos.”
🏍️ Suspect Possibly Fled on Dirt Bike
According to multiple eyewitnesses who spoke with RLS Media, a man was seen fleeing the scene on a dirt bike immediately after the shots were fired. Authorities are actively working to determine whether the rider was involved in the shooting. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the suspect remains at large.
Law enforcement sources say the dirt bike lead is being taken seriously, and surveillance footage from the area is currently being reviewed.
🔎 Investigation Ongoing
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, in collaboration with the Newark Police Department, has taken over the investigation. They are asking anyone with information about the shooting to come forward to assist with identifying the suspect and determining a motive.
“This was a reckless and violent act that put dozens of innocent lives at risk — including schoolchildren,” said a law enforcement official close to the investigation. “We are committed to finding the person responsible.”
🕯️ A Community in Mourning
The community has been left shaken by the fatal shooting, with residents expressing grief over the loss of Karon Gray and frustration over continued violence in residential neighborhoods.
Gray is remembered by some in the neighborhood as a quiet, friendly man who kept to himself. “He was always respectful,” said one neighbor. “It’s heartbreaking to hear he’s gone.”
Residents are now calling for increased police presence, anti-violence initiatives, and better security near schools during high-traffic hours like arrival and dismissal.
📞 How to Help
Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tip line or reach out anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
This remains a developing story, and updates will be provided as investigators learn more. For now, a community mourns the loss of a young life and hopes justice is not far behind.
