North Ward Homicide Under Investigation

The body of an unidentified male was found not far from Rt. 21 in the North Ward early Wednesday morning, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark police said.

Newark police responded to the Chester Avenue off-ramp leading from Rt. 21 south at about 4 a.m. on a report of shots fired. Police found an unresponsive male who had been shot a number of times, said prosecutor’s office spokeswoman Kathy Carter. He was pronounced dead at the scene about a half-hour later, carter also said.

The victim remained unidentified as of Wednesday afternoon.

Officials are asking anyone with information to call the prosecutor’s office tip line at  1-877-847-7432.