Newark shootings leave 1 dead, 3 hurt; Incident prompts lockdown at nearby school

NEWARK (WABC) -- Police say gunfire has left one person dead and three others wounded in Newark Wednesday afternoon.

"The shooting was not random, but retaliatory for an incident that happened last year," Newark Police Director Eugene Venable said.

The 22-year-old victim who was killed had been shot at last year in this same area, but wouldn't cooperate with police, he said.

He has been identified as James Elam.

Venable added that the victim was a member of a gang that they are focusing their attention on and that they believe is responsible for a recent spike in crime.

Venable said today's incident started outside the barber shop on Clinton Place. He said the 2 who survived were friends with the man who died.

They fled in separate directions after the shooting. One of the victims got into a car, drove away and flagged down an officer, who helped him and called in the shooting.

The shooting also happened right near George Washington Carver Elementary School around 2:00 p.m., before the students were dismissed for the day.

The school was placed on lockdown for a short time.

The three who were wounded are in stable condition.

No arrests have been made.