By: Richard L. Smith
In just under ten years, a Newark family has been shattered by the loss of four brothers, all victims of relentless gun violence that plagues the city.
Each of the men, residents of Newark's Central Ward, fell to bullets in separate incidents, the latest occurring on a chilly Friday, December 22nd night.
The weight of losing siblings to such violence is a heavy burden, often overshadowed in the cascade of headlines that mark America's struggle with gun crimes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a grim statistic: more Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2021 than any other year on record.
This includes both gun murders and suicides. Despite the spike in these fatalities, the rate of gun deaths, adjusted for the nation's growing population, remains below earlier decades' levels.
Chronicle of a Shattered Family
The family's heartbreak began back in 2015 with the death of Mr. Najee Daniels, followed by Mr. Hadee Wrice in 2017, and the eldest brother, Jameel Daniels, in 2016.
The latest tragedy unfolded Friday night when Mr. Rodney Wrice was gunned down outside a location on Springfield Avenue, suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was the last surviving sibling, with his other brothers having faced similar fates years before.
Although homicides in Essex County have shown a notable decrease in recent years, the city of Newark still witnesses frequent gun violence.
In fact, authorities have made significant strides in reducing crime rates in areas once known for rampant violence, like the New Community Corporation housing complex where the brothers grew up and lived.
NAJEE DANIELS
In 2015, Newark experienced a particularly violent week in November, with about ten people shot city-wide, resulting in five fatalities. Among the victims was Mr. Najee Daniels, the brother of Rodney Wrice.
Tragically, his life was claimed near the Newark Police Headquarters, an area where one would expect a deterrent effect from the nearby law enforcement presence.
However, this was not the case, as armed assailants fatally shot Daniels multiple times.
The night of November 28 brought more gunfire to the streets of Newark. Several shots rang out in the area of Bergen Street and Clinton Avenue, prompting police to respond swiftly.
They found 22-year-old Daniels injured from the gunfire. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office reported that Daniels was quickly taken to University Hospital, where he sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was later pronounced dead by medical professionals.
This incident marked the grim end to a week that saw a total of five fatal shootings, contributing to the overall count of about ten people shot in Newark during that harrowing week in late November 2015.
JAMEEL DANIELS
In 2016, Rodney Wrice's oldest brother became a victim of gun violence in Newark's South Ward. The Essex County Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into a shooting incident that occurred on a sweltering afternoon, July 22.
The incident, reported during that hot afternoon around 4:15 p.m., led Newark police to the 100 block of Astor Street, where they responded to calls of gunfire.
Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive male with gunshot wounds lying in the street. This individual, along with two others who were also injured in the shooting, was taken to University Hospital.
The unresponsive male, identified as 27-year-old Jameel Daniels of Newark, was pronounced dead at 5:12 p.m., as confirmed by Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit.
The other two victims, both residents of Newark, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received treatment at local hospitals. This tragic event added to the grim tally of gun violence incidents in Newark at that time, underscoring the city's ongoing struggle with such crimes.
HADEE WRICE
In 2017, Newark's West Ward was the scene of another tragic shooting that claimed the life of Mr. Hadee Wrice, a 25-year-old sibling of Rodney Wrice, on October 29.
Responding to 911 calls from concerned residents who reported hearing rapid gunfire near 12th Avenue, Newark Police officers arrived at the 100 block of Littleton Avenue.
There, ECPO officials said, they found Hadee Wrice inside a vehicle, critically injured with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) quickly transported Wrice to University Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Wrice succumbed to his injuries and passed away seven days later, on November 5, as reported by county officials.
During the investigation, detectives arrested 25-year-old Robert Steele on November 15, 2017. Following the investigation, authorities upgraded the charges against Steele to murder.
RODNEY WRICE
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office is spearheading an investigation into a fatal shooting in Newark's Central Ward, which occurred on a Friday night. Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced that their Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is closely examining the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Rodney Wrice, a 27-year-old resident of Newark.
The incident took place on December 22, around 9:52 p.m., when Newark police were alerted to a shooting on the 200 block of Springfield Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers found Wrice near the location, gravely injured with multiple gunshot wounds. Wrice was immediately transported to University Hospital, where he was unfortunately pronounced dead at 10:28 p.m.
The perpetrator of this senseless act remains at large, having fled the scene after firing over a dozen rounds at Wrice. This shooting marked yet another devastating blow to the Wrice family, as Rodney was the last surviving brother.
Subtle Progress Amid Personal Tragedies
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office, actively working to curb this epidemic, announced a drop in the homicide rate to its lowest in decades. This represents a significant achievement in law enforcement efforts to tackle violent crime. However, for families like the Wrice's, each statistic is a reminder of a personal tragedy and the deep pain that persists in the wake of gun violence.
The story of these brothers is a sad reflection on the continued fight against gun violence in Newark and across the nation. It's a fight that demands resilience and collective action, a fight where every loss is deeply felt, and every effort to reduce violence is a step toward healing shattered communities.
Echoes of Loss: A Personal Journey Through Gun Violence
I have personally endured the devastating impact of gun violence. In the early 1990s, a chilling episode unfolded directly across the street from my South 12th Street home.
I was jolted awake by gunshots, only to discover that police had found Emerson Cullars, a long-time neighbor and cherished community friend, shot and lying in a pool of blood.
Years later, while in college, I received a call that brought my world crashing down. My younger sibling, Michael Smith, had been shot dead in the seemingly tranquil community of Lake Ariel, Wayne County, Pennsylvania.
Michael had been sent there hoping for a better, safer life, away from the dangers we knew all too well. These personal experiences with gun violence have left a lasting scar, highlighting the pervasive and random nature of such tragedies.
My condolences go out to the Wrice family.