NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — Officials are offering a reward for information leading to an arrest in the fatal shooting of a 9-year-old boy in New Jersey that occurred Friday evening.
The young boy was shot and killed at about 5:27 p.m. as he exited a vehicle with his father and sister outside his Newark home on Osborne Terrace, an Essex County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson said.
The child was transported to an area hospital but did not survive.
A 36-year-old man was also injured in the shooting, though the circumstances around the incident and information on his condition were not immediately available.
The adult victim and 9-year-old do not appear to be related, the spokesperson said.
ABC7 identified the child as Yasin Morrison. Reporters spoke to his grandmother, who claimed he was on his way to see her when he was murdered.
The boy’s identity has not been officially released as the prosecutor’s office does not identify minors. He was previously identified as being 8-years-old, but was actually 9, a spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office said.
Essex County Sheriff Amir Jones announced the reward—which will be given to anyone who offers information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible for the child’s death—on Saturday afternoon, offering up to $10,000.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said that the Newark Police Division is supporting the investigation and “all available means will be leveraged.”
“I am outraged by the incomprehensible death of [a 9]-year-old boy who was shot in our city. It is sickening to me that anyone would be so deranged to recklessly endanger an innocent child,” Bakara said in a statement.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432
“We will not tolerate this reckless and dangerous behavior,” Bakara said. “The killer should know—we are coming after you. We are not going to rest until we find you, so turn yourself in now.”