Man Shot Fellow Gambler To Death In Newark, Pleads Guilty

NEWARK, NJ — A Newark man admitted he fatally shot a fellow gambler on Littleton Avenue two years ago, prosecutors announced Friday.

The fatal shooting took place outside an illegal gambling spot on the 100-block of Littleton Avenue in Newark in October 2017, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

On Friday, the shooter, Robert Steele, 27, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter. The gunfire claimed the life of Hydee Wryce, 28.

The plea agreement calls for Steele to be sentenced to 25 years in New Jersey state prison. Under the No Early Release Act, Steele will have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole, prosecutors said.

According to prosecutors, Steele and Wryce were placing bets around 11:15 a.m. At some point, Steele went to his car, retrieved a gun and approached Wryce, who was sitting in his own car at the time.

Wryce lowered his window and the men shook hands. After a short conversation, Steele then shot Wryce several times at close range, ran around the block, got into his car and drove away, prosecutors said.

Multiple witnesses saw the shooting and surveillance video captured “pertinent” portions of the incident, prosecutors said.

Police recovered the clothes Steele wore on the day of the shooting at his girlfriend’s home, which was confirmed via DNA testing. Ammunition consistent with the murder weapon was also found at the residence, prosecutors said.

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