NEWARK, NJ – Police are investigating after two teenagers were injured in a shooting incident near West Side High School on South Orange Avenue Tuesday afternoon.
The event, which did not occur on school property, was reported around 2:45 p.m. A 17-year-old is in critical but stable condition, while a 15-year-old is stable, with at least one victim believed to be a student at the school. Both were transported to University Hospital for treatment.
Additionally, a third individual suffered injuries not related to the shooting while fleeing the scene.
In response to the violence, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka emphasized collaboration with Public Safety and the Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery to safeguard the community.
The city plans to augment its presence and work closely with the school to mitigate violence further. Following the incident, which occurred after school hours, the school board has engaged with the Newark Police Department to investigate, stressing that the safety and well-being of students and staff remain paramount.