4 charged with murder in Newark, N.J., mass shooting that killed 3, including 10-year-old boy
Four suspects in New Jersey are facing first degree murder charges in connection with a mass shooting that left three people, including a mother and a little boy, dead in Newark, prosecutors said Thursday.
Sources first told CBS News New York on Wednesday that four suspects were in custody in connection with the deaths of 10-year-old Jordan Garcia and two others in the gunfire on Chancellor Avenue in November.
Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens II identified the suspects Thursday as 31-year-old Almuta Thomas, 26-year-old Quayon Williams-King, 19-year-old Furquan Boykin Jr., and a 16-year-old male.
The murder suspects were caught after "hundreds of man hours of good old-fashioned police work," Stephens said at a news conference, adding that they were also charged with assault and conspiracy to commit murder.
"While we are certain that we have the right individuals that we've arrested in this, there may be others involved. So, of course, this is still a continuing investigation," the prosecutor said.
"I'm glad that we had an opportunity to bring justice for this family and closure to these mothers, who have lost children in this tragedy that took place on Chancellor Avenue," Mayor Ras Baraka said. "We said that we would bring them to justice, and we did."
Police believe one of the shooting victims was targeted.
"Exhaustive surveillance and investigative work"
The suspects also face arson and weapons charges, Stephens added.
Detectives tracked down a vehicle that was used by the suspects and then set on fire in Newark after it was reported stolen 20 days before the shooting, Stephens said.
"Through exhaustive surveillance and investigative work, detectives were also able to identify an additional vehicle leaving the scene of the arson. The detectives were able to confirm that the suspect vehicle was also stolen from a surrounding community," he said.
According to Stephens, that vehicle was involved in a police chase three days after the shooting, after which police identified the driver as one of the suspects.
Gunfire caught on surveillance video
Surveillance video from the Nov. 15 shooting shows a group standing in front of a liquor store at the corner of Leslie Street and Chancellor Ave. when gunfire erupts.
Garcia was fatally struck, along with 21-year-old Kiyah Mae Scott and 19-year-old Masi Rogers, who died from his injuries more than a week later. Two people, including Garcia's 11-year-old brother, were wounded and later released from the hospital.
Scott's mother, Annette Ryan, said her daughter was picking up groceries at the store and got caught in the crossfire. Scott leaves behind a 3-year-old son.
Masi played youth football for the Jackie Robinson Bears and later for the Southeast Stallions.
"I can't believe it. This gotta be a nightmare," his mother, Rabeerah Price, said after losing her oldest son.
Lengthy search for suspects
Officials offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case as the Newark community's shock and outrage grew over the crime.
"It's clear on what needs to happen, that these perpetrators need to turn themselves in immediately," Baraka said at a news conference days after it happened. "The community is on alert, on lookout, and we will make sure that justice is done."
"Whoever you are, you know who you are. You will be caught. You will be caught. It will be vengeance," Ryan said about the suspects.