Essex County officials in Newark are investigating a shooting that fatally injured a male outside a bar in Newark's Ironbound section Sunday morning.
Residents in the area of Market and Somme streets say a heated argument over a female outside the Rio Lounge ended in gunfire just before 3:40 a.m.
According to residents, as many from the crowd ran from the area during the shooting, one male was found suffering gunshot injuries.
Officers from the nearby Newark East Ward precinct immediately arrived at the scene and taped off the area while they conducted the investigation.
Residents say the bar was in the process of closing for the night and most of the patrons were outside preparing to enter their vehicles when at least two males began to exchange words.
The victim was rushed to University Hospital in Newark where he was pronounced dead according to reports.
According to residents, the establishment has had some issues with verbal and physical confrontations during and after business hours, but shootings are rare for the area.
Newark Police have not released an official motive for the shooting and the investigation remains active and ongoing.