By: Richard L. Smith
Newark authorities are searching for a gunman involved in a shooting in the North Ward early Sunday morning, marking the fifth such incident over a violent 48-hour period across the city.
One person was fatally shot in the West Ward, and police are investigating the latest shots-fired incident, which occurred around 2 a.m. in the area of 189 Verona Avenue.
In this incident, officers arriving on the scene found several shell casings but, after canvassing the neighborhood, reported no injuries. The suspect remains at large.
The recent increase in shootings coincides with an impending change in Newark’s public safety leadership.
According to a memo obtained by RLS Media on October 8, The Honorable Mayor Ras Baraka has appointed Chief Emmanuel Miranda Sr. as Acting Public Safety Director, effective Tuesday, October 12. Chief Miranda will assume the role as Director Fritz G. Fragé steps down, reportedly for retirement.
Appointed in August 2022, Fragé has overseen Newark’s Police and Fire divisions and the Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. He followed a distinguished 24-year career with the New Jersey State Police, where he served as Commander of the Investigations Branch.
During his tenure, RLS Media has observed that Director Fragé was instrumental in implementing strategies that contributed to significant reductions in crime across the city.
The Newark Police Department encourages anyone with information on this weekend’s incidents to come forward as investigations remain active and ongoing.