Crime
Irvington High School Football Player 16-year-old Ziad Cook Killed in Newark Shooting
Newark, NJ – A tragic shooting in Newark’s West Ward on Thursday evening claimed the life of a 16-year-old student and left another teenager critically injured, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. in the 200 block of Brookdale Avenue, near 227 Brookdale, where responding officers found two teenage males suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both victims were transported to University Hospital for emergency treatment.
One of the victims, later identified as 16-year-old Ziad Cook, was pronounced dead at 9:19 p.m.
The second victim, a 17-year-old male, remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Authorities confirmed that Cook was a student at Irvington High School and a member of the school’s football team.
His death has sent shockwaves through the school community, prompting an outpouring of grief and support.
Grief counselors have been made available to students and staff to help cope with the sudden loss.
Ziad Cook was described by faculty and peers as a focused, respectful, and hardworking student-athlete, dedicated both to his education and to his performance on the field.
His loss is being deeply felt by classmates, teachers, and teammates alike.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation.
As of Friday, no arrests have been made, and investigators have not released a possible motive for the shooting.
Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tip line or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.