Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and East Orange Public Safety Director Sheilah Coley have announced that authorities are investigating a shooting incident in which a four year old boy was shot earlier today.
Authorities said shortly before 11:00 am, East Orange police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Norman Street in East Orange.
Arriving officers discovered that a four year old male had been shot. The child, was rushed to University Hospital in Newark. Unfortunately, the victim was pronounced dead at 4:26 p.m., according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit.
The investigation is being conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the East Orange Police Department.
Authorities said at this point, the shooting appears to be accidental according to Fennelly.
As a result of the investigation, the victim's mother, Itiyanah Spruill, age 22, of East Orange, has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child and a weapons violation. Spruill was arrested this afternoon by detectives from the Prosecutor's Office.
Bail has been set at $310,000 by the Hon. Bridget Stecher, J.S.C. Spruill will be held in the Essex County Correctional Facility pending arraignment, according to Fennelly.