VIDEO: Newark Councilman Calls for Gang Ceasefire

A Newark councilman called for an end to violence in Newark Sunday following the seemingly random shooting deaths of two children on a city street Christmas night.

“We're asking again for people to put their guns down, to solve disputes in any other ways but murder and violence,” said City Councilman Ras Baraka.

Kasson Morman, 15, and Zainee Hailey, 13, were shot and killed on the front stoop of their Schley Street apartment building and a 14-year-old boy was also critically wounded in the volley of bullets that officials believe were intended for two other teenagers standing nearby.

Baraka, who had been Kasson’s principal, called the 15-year-old a “good kid” who was always laughing.

The Christmas shootings were among 103 homicides that occurred in Newark in 2013—the highest annual total since 2007, according to NJ.com

Authorities haven’t connected the shootings with gang violence, but Baraka said he believes if gang members lay down their guns others will follow.

Funeral arrangements were announced for Zainee Hailey on Sunday. Services will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. on New Zion Baptist Church in Elizabeth, according to NJ.com.

Zainee, 13, sang in the choir, performed in plays and served in the youth ministry there.

“To all those naysayers who say this is not going to work,” Baraka said. “I say better to do something than to do nothing at all.”