Police in Newark, NJ arrived at Hobson Street and Bragaw Avenue on Tuesday evening, they encountered a troubling scene- a male on the ground at gunpoint. Twenty-two-year-old males Shaquan M. Burr and Tajir Branch had firearms drawn on a third male who lying on the ground.
According to Newark Public Safety Director Brain O’Hara, one of the suspects was assaulting the victim with a gun while the other was removing his shoes. Upon detecting the presence of law enforcement, both suspects took off running. Police said that Burr tossed a handgun and a vest that he was wearing. He was caught and taken into custody soon thereafter and the weapon he allegedly chucked, a loaded .9MM was recovered.
Branch was apprehended at the scene and a search of his person uncovered a loaded .9MM handgun.
“Because each suspect was armed, this incident could have quickly resulted in violence,” said O’Hara. “So far this year, Newark Police have recovered 280 illegal weapons, reflecting a 50 percent increase over the same period on 2021.”
Newark Public Safety Director, Brian O’Hara
The suspects, Branch and Burr, both now face charges of conspiracy, robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
