By: Richard L. Smith
Newark authorities are actively searching for suspects linked to a shooting incident that disrupted a West Ward neighborhood early Thursday morning.
According to police, a ShotSpotter device was activated, alerting officers to gunfire in the area of Whitney Street around 1:20 a.m.
Upon arrival, officers secured the scene, cordoning off part of the neighborhood after locating several shell casings.
As a precaution, area hospitals were notified to be on alert for potential walk-in gunshot victims, though no injuries had been reported by 4 a.m.
During their search, officers discovered a residence struck by bullets; however, fortunately, no one inside was injured.
Witnesses reported that the suspects fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV.
The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, and Newark authorities urge anyone with information to contact the police.