Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, and Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O’Hara announced today that Deandre Smith, 36, has been arrested and charged with the murder of Mr. Frankie Fields, 30, who was fatally shot in Newark on March 7.
Officials said both the victim and the suspect are from Newark.
Please give said on Monday, March 7, three males were shot on the 300 block of 10th Street in the City of Newark.
All three were transported to University Hospital. Fields was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:54 pm on March 7.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department, is handling the investigation.
Authorities charged Smith with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm for an illegal purpose and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
The charges against Smith 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.
The investigation into the murder of Fields remains active and ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding the Fields’ homicide 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.