Newark's South Ward community leaders and residents are livid as they grieve the senseless murder of a man that they say "never caused any harm to anyone at any time of his life."
Residents told RLS Metro Breaking News that the victim of a violent shooting incident that occurred in a location in the city's South Ward on Christmas Eve brought back memories of the unsolved murder of former street dancer and favorite Newark resident Uggie because of the victim's popularity in that community.
Residents say suspects produced a gun at the harmless mentally challenged man and began to fire rounds at Monday's victim until he fell dead on the cold sidewalk a day before Christmas.
According to a statement released by Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II and Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, III, now authorities have launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of the man.
Authorities say, shortly before 5:00 p.m., Newark police officers responded to a report of a shooting in progress that occurred in the 200 block of Peshine Avenue.
Arriving officers observed an unresponsive male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
The male, who has been identified as **Mr. Troy Ibn Branch, 29, of Newark,** was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:40 p.m., according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly, of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit.
Visually disgusted and angry residents condemned the shooting of Branch while some neighborhood friends of the man wiped away tears from their eyes hours after the shooting.
"Troy was just like our 'Uggie,' and we all loved him just like he was our own child," a resident on Peshine Avenue told RLS Media Staff. "He was the community's son and Troy wouldn't hurt a fly. This is just terrible and we are demanding justice and an end to these episodes of violence that's occurring not only in Newark's South Ward but around the city" the resident said.
In an incident that occurred moments after Branch was gunned down, police engaged in a foot chase of two suspects who were reportedly armed with a gun in the vicinity of 271 Peshine Avenue.
Police caught one suspect near the Runyon Elementary School while officers sprinted after the second suspect, capturing him a short distance away. A weapon was recovered during the chase according to reports.
Essex County authorities did not immediately confirm that the suspects captured during the foot pursuit are responsible for the fatal shooting of Branch, but residents in the area said they feel confident that police caught Troy's killer.
This incident is being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department.
Authorities say The investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Prosecutor's Tips Line at (877) 847-7432.