Second Man in Friday Shootings Dies

The second victim of shootings that occurred early Friday, June 29, has died,  the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement released Monday.

The shootings occurred on S. 13th Street near Madison Avenue shortly before 9 am, with one of the victims, Wali Gartrell, 19, being killed instantly. Terrence Jackson, 20, was taken to University Hospital and lived for another 11 hours before succumbing to his injuries. Both men were city residents.

The two men were believed to have known their attackers and that the shootings were deliberate, a member of the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

“This was not a random incident. It appears the victims were targeted and the shootings are related to an ongoing dispute between the victims and suspects,’’ said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly.

Several people, including a large group waiting near a food pantry on S. 13th Street a few blocks away, were outside their homes when the shootings occurred. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips hotline at 1-877-847-7432