A woman who stepped in to help a friend during an alleged attack was shot dead on a street in Newark on Monday night.
Essex County authorities said today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is investigating the deadly encounter.
Police said that at approximately 11:30 p.m., Ms. Leeana Cottle, 21, of Newark, was shot in the 200 block of South 10th Street in Newark.
Cottle was transported to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m. authorities said.
Sources close to the investigation told RLS Media that Cottle stepped in between a violent encounter between her female friend and the woman’s male acquaintance when the suspect became furious and shot Cottle dead at the location.
Police said the person is in custody and the investigation is active and ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.