By: Richard L. Smith
Authorities in Essex County are investigating the motive behind a shooting incident that injured two victims at a large outdoor festival in Newark's Ironbound section Saturday night.
Hundreds of festival goers ran for cover after multiple rounds of gunfire rang out in the area of 188 Ferry Street around 10 p.m.
Newark Police officers and cops from other agencies -already patrolling the Dia de Portugal Feast- scrambled to the intersection of Ferry and Van Buren to investigate.
Upon arrival, police found a male victim suffering bullet wounds and a female also struck by gunfire at that location.
While securing the scene and disbursing a large crowd, officers located shell casings, but a search of the area indicated no other victims.
Police say the gunshot victims were transported to University Hospital. One was injured and in severe condition, while the other was stable.
This weekend’s Dia De Portugal feast is the first festival gathering since the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic
Newark Major Crimes Detectives and The Essex County Prosecutor's Office were notified. Both agencies assisted in the active and ongoing investigation.
UPDATE 6:16 a.m. : ECPO officials confirmed non-fatal at this time.