Two unrelated shootings that occurred about a mile apart and within hours of each other left two dead in Newark on Sunday, authorities said.
Alpha M. Dumbuya, 24, of West Hazelton, Pennsylvania was fatally wounded at approximately 3:28 a.m. on Sunday, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said. He was shot outside Rio Lounge, located at 618 Market St. in the city’s Ironbound section.
Another fatal shooting occurred about a block away from Prudential Center around 10:45 p.m. on Sunday, Newark police said. The shooting took place at Green and Mulberry streets, police added.
A spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said the two shootings were not connected. No arrests have been made in either shooting, she added.
Officers patrolling the area heard gunfire and located a man who had been shot, police said. He was transported to University Hospital and was later pronounced dead, police said.
The victim in the Mulberry Street shooting was not immediately identified on Tuesday by authorities.
ABC7NY reported the man was killed outside the Three Levels Lounge & Sports Bar on Mulberry Street, but the prosecutor’s office did not independently verify this Tuesday afternoon. The Newark Police Division referred all comments to the prosecutor’s office and declined to say the exact location where the shooting on Mulberry Street had occurred.
On Monday, however, Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose released a statement about the fatal shooting near Prudential Center that stated it was an “isolated incident with no threat to the community.” The Prudential Center is home to the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, and has numerous entrainment and concert events all year that attracts visitors to the city.
“This unfortunate incident occurred because the victim was targeted,” Ambrose said. “While learning that the victim succumbed to his injuries is heartbreaking, it’s clear that this shooting was intentional.
“There is no threat to our neighbors or visitors in the area where this incident occurred.”
The department is still seeking any information about the suspect in the Mulberry Street shooting, Ambrose added. Ambrose said the Essex County Homicide Task Force, which includes members of the Newark Police Division, are still investigating the shooting.
Anyone with information about the Mulberry Street shooting is urged to call the Department's 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). All anonymous Crime Stopper tips are kept confidential and could result in a reward.
Anonymous tips may also be made using the Police Division’s website at www.newarkpd.org or through its Smartphone App available at iTunes and Google Play.
Anyone with information about the shooting that occurred outside the Rio Lounge is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877 TIPS- 4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeccaPanico.