Two arrested in Newark mini mart murder

NEWARK, N.J.

At the center of it all is a 16-year-old boy who police say has murdered two men in the last three weeks.

Police say the 16-year-old boy shot and killed 37-year-old Miguel Torres when he didn't turn over the cash fast enough during an armed robbery at the JNC Mini Market in Newark last week.

Torres' friends say the father of two worked 16, sometimes 20 hour days at the deli to support his family.

"The family is devastated, we need to support them and we need to be strong," said Santiago Paniagua, the victim's friend.

Monday, Newark officials announced they had arrested the juvenile and 18-year-old Isiah Adams and charged them with Torres' murder.

Adams is accused of being the lookout outside the market on the corner of 14th Avenue and South 18th.

After surveillance images were released, police say tipsters started calling.

"Without the cooperation between the community, the police and the prosecutor, we wouldn't have made an arrest so quickly," said Samuel DiMaio, Newark Police Director.

The arrest of the 16-year-old accused shooter also prompted the arrest of 19-year-old Azil Ellington.

He is accused of a carjacking, and of using the stolen car to drive the 16-year-old to Orange Street in Newark on December 28, where police say he shot and killed 36-year-old Wilfredo Campos after he didn't hand over his wallet fast enough.

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