Victims ID'd In Newark Double Homicide; 3 Kids Were In Home At Time Of Shootings
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Authorities have released the names of a man and a woman who were fatally shot inside a Newark apartment Saturday night while three young children were inside.
Essex County prosecutors identified the victims as Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28, both of Newark. They were both pronounced dead at the scene, on the 300 block of Clinton Place, at 9:49 p.m. Saturday by the Regional Medical Examiner's Office.
The children, ages 1, 3 and 4, were not injured, but were taken to University Hospital for evaulation. They are now in the custody of other family members and the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency.
Candles and a small make-shift memorial now sits outside the Newark apartment where Jones was killed.
Jones' neighbors were stunned to hear about the deadly shooting. One neighbor, who asked to remain anonoymous, told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez that Jones was having problems with an ex-boyfriend, saying the former couple had a frightening argument just last week,
"Her right eye was black and blue," the neighbor said. "She was just shaken, she was saying she had a restraining order."
Jones' neighbor said she feared for her safety, and worried nothing could be done to protect her.
"I think it was bound to happen," she said. "She was shaken and scared."
No arrest has been made. The county's homicide task force is leading the investigation.
A motive for the shooting remains under investigation.
Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose blamed the deaths on "the availability of too many guns." He said the slayings were "senseless" and "tragic."
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