Shooting At Linden Nightclub Leads To Arrest Of East Orange Man: Police

UNION COUNTY, NJ — An East Orange man was arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred at a Linden nightclub earlier this month, according to the Linden Police Department.

Najir Paige, 27, was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 24 after members of Union County S.W.A.T., as well as the police and the Union County Prosecutor's Office, executed a search warrant at his home.

Paige was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a weapon and associated crimes, according to police.

The shooting occurred at Menga Lounge, located at 1906 E. St. George Ave., on Aug. 6 just after 2 a.m. Police said Paige was involved in an altercation at the bar, which led to him leaving the bar and retrieving a handgun from a nearby vehicle.

When he returned, police said Paige fired multiple shots through the front door of the bar, resulting in three injuries.

A 28-year-old man from Elizabeth, a 24-year old woman from Bridgewater and a 23-year-old woman from Irivington were all injured during the attack, according to police.

The Irvington woman suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen and extremities and was rushed to UMDNJ Hospital in Newark in serious but stable condition.

Read more: 3 Injured In Shooting Inside Linden Nightclub: Police

“We welcome people from all over the area to come enjoy the many restaurants and businesses our city has to offer, but make no mistake; violent crime has no place in Linden and we will aggressively pursue those who disrupt the peace and safety that our community deserves,” said Linden Police Chief David Hart. “I am very proud of the work that that our Officers, Detectives, and Investigators do each and every day to keep violent offenders like this off our streets.”

Paige is currently detained at the Essex County Jail pending an appearance in superior court.

A second suspect, identified as 25-year-old Sharif Evans, also of East Orange, is also charged for his role in the incident. Evans currently remains at large.