Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County Grand Jury has returned a 29-count indictment charging Jeremy Arrington, 27, of Newark with three counts of murder for the murders of Syasia McBurroughs, 23, Aerial Little Whitehurst, 8, and Al-Jahon Whitehurst, 11, on Nov. 5, 2016 in Newark.
It is alleged that Arrington fatally shot McBurroughs with a handgun as well as stabbed the two children with knives inside their Hedden Terrace home in Newark.
It is also alleged that in addition to shooting McBurroughs and stabbing the Whitehurst brother and sister to death, Arrington attempted to murder 13-year old twins, a male and a female, and a 29-year-old woman who was also inside Hedden Terrace at the time, by stabbing them repeatedly with knives.
The 13-year-old twins and the 29-year-old woman survived. It is also alleged that Arrington tied up these six victims before shooting or stabbing them. Lastly, it is alleged that Jeremy Arrington broke into the Hedden Terrace home and assaulted two additional victims as well.
As such, Arrington was not only indicted for three counts of murder, he was also indicted for multiple counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault, burglary, felony murder, criminal restraint, terroristic threats, tampering with evidence and weapons offenses, according to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case.
Most of the victims lived at the Hedden Terrace home. McBurroughs was a friend of the family who was visiting when these events occurred.
The arraignment for Jeremy Arrington on the above charges is presently scheduled for June 12, before the Honorable Ronald D. Wigler, Presiding Judge of the Criminal Division.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.