Family mourns 9-year-old boy killed in Newark shooting
9-year-old boy killed in Newark shooting
Police are continuing to hunt for the suspect who shot and killed 9-year-old Yasin Morrison in Newark on Friday evening.
NEW JERSEY - Police are still on the hunt for the suspect who shot and killed a 9-year-old boy in Newark on Friday night.
What we know:
The family of Yasin Morrison are in mourning after an act of gun violence claimed the young boy's life.
Police say the shooting happened just before 5:30 p.m. as Yasin, who was autistic and non-verbal, was exiting a car with his father and sister near his grandmother’s home.
Authorities say several shots were fired, and Yasin’s father attempted to shield him, but the child was struck multiple times. A 36-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting.
Investigators do not believe Yasin or his family were the intended targets.
'My nephew didn't deserve this'
What they're saying:
At a vigil on Saturday, family, friends and neighbors gathered to mourn Yasin's death.
"You killed an innocent child," said Markeida Morrison, Yasin's aunt. "My nephew didn’t deserve this. Just by him going to see his grandmother. He comes here every weekend."
What's next:
The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers program is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.
So far, authorities have not yet identified a suspect or determined a motive for the shooting. No arrests have been made, and police have not disclosed whether they have any leads.