5th suspect arrested in deadly Newark shooting during Mother's Day bike blessing

NEWARK (WABC) -- A fifth suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal Mother's Day shooting of 15-year-old Al-Shakeen Woodson during a bike blessing in Newark.

On Tuesday, a 15-year-old from Newark was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. His name is being withheld because of his age. He has been taken to the Youth Detention Center.

On May 14, four others were arrested in the death of Woodson, who was fatally shot at approximately 7:45 pm at 19th Avenue and South 16th Street.

Jaqeuce Spinks, 19, has been charged with murder, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, while 18-year-old Marquise Cephus has been charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

In addition to the two adults, two male juveniles, ages 16 and 17, were charged last week. A 16-year-old has been charged with murder and weapons offenses, while a 17-year-old is charged with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

They are accused of opening fire at the "Blessing of the Bikes" event in Newark on May 10.

The Essex County Prosecutor said Woodson, 15, of Newark, was pronounced dead at University Hospital following the shooting. The motorcycle event is part of a Mother's Day ritual in Newark, the annual Blessing of the Bikes, to kick off riding season. But after the event, gunfire rang out.

Woodson was one of four people shot, but the only one to die. Prosecutors haven't said who they believe was the target.

"Absolutely, this thing got out of control," Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said.

He said it may be time to rethink the annual event because it has gotten too big for the city to police. But organizers said the bikers were long gone before the guns came out. Monday night they pushed back against the mayor.

"It's sad because everybody here voted for him to be in the place he's here now. And for him to slap us in the face and say like I didn't know about it, it's like throwing us under the bus," said Cutty Luciano, of the Made Men Bike Club.

Three other men suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated at area hospitals.