June 27, 2017

Contact: Sheriff Armando Fontoura (973) 621-4105

Newark – A convicted felon was arrested in the city’s West Ward last night by Essex County sheriff’s detectives and multiple weapons charges were filed against him.

Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that officers from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were on proactive quality of life patrol on Monday evening on 14^th Avenue when they heard the discharge of three gunshot rounds in the area.

“An immediate canvass of the area led our detectives to the intersection of 14^th Avenue and 14^th Street where numerous local residents were seen running away from the area,” Sheriff Fontoura said.  “As the neighbors ran from the scene many of them were shouting ‘he just shot the gun and there are kids everywhere’.”

The suspect, later identified as Jakill Young, 26 of Newark, was observed by the sheriff’s detectives as he walked along 14^th Avenue while brandishing a silver handgun and carrying a black book bag.

“Young ignored our commands to drop his weapon and ran through a nearby parking lot where he jumped over a fence,” Fontoura added.  “During his flight, Young threw the gun and the book bag to the ground.  After a brief foot chase, Young was taken into custody without further incident.”

The handgun, a loaded, .38 caliber, Smith & Wesson revolver with three discharged shell casings and the book bag, containing an additional cache of illegal hollow point ammunition, was recovered.

Young was charged with the unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of hollow point bullets and resisting arrest.

A canvass of the area for possible victims and damage from the gunfire yielded negative results.

Young was lodged at the county jail where he awaits a bail hearing.