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.
Crime
Wilhelmina Leigh Carlton charged with the murder in stabbing of her boyfriend Darius Montreal Boglin
A 43-year-old woman from Bessemer has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of her boyfriend earlier this month, according to authorities.
Court records show Wilhelmina Leigh Carlton, 43, is charged with the murder of Darius Montreal Boglin, 45.
Carlton was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on March 5 and is currently being held without bond.
Officers with the Bessemer Police Department were dispatched at approximately 7:49 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, to the 3100 block of Avenue B following reports of a stabbing.
According to Detective Justin Burmeister, responding officers arrived at the scene and discovered Boglin suffering from a stab wound in a driveway.
Emergency responders attempted to assess his condition, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Authorities said Carlton was still present at the location when officers arrived and was taken into custody without incident.
Investigators confirmed that Carlton and Boglin were involved in a dating relationship.
Charging documents allege that the fatal incident occurred during an altercation when Boglin allegedly grabbed Carlton from behind, at which point she stabbed him, resulting in his death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and police are asking anyone with additional information related to the case to contact the Bessemer Police Department at 205-425-2411 or 205-481-4366. Tips can also be submitted through the department’s tip line at 205-428-3541, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.