14-year old charged with fatal shooting of livery driver in Newark

NEWARK (WABC) -- A 14-year old boy from Newark is under arrest, charged with the murder of a livery taxi driver in Newark over the summer.

45-year old Rodrigo Berru was fatally shot on Aug. 21 on Frelinghuysen Avenue in Newark.

Authorities say the teenage suspect is charged with murder, felony murder, conspiracy, robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

According to co-workers, Berru was a native of Ecuador and one of 13 children. It appears that most of his family is in Ecuador; he was unmarried and had no children. His co-workers described the victim as always jovial and a body builder.

In a separate incident, the Essex County Prosecutor said the same juvenile along with another 14-year-old is charged with conspiracy and carjacking in connection with an Aug. 16 incident that occurred on 4th Avenue and North 6th Street also in Newark.

The names of the juveniles are not being released at this time because of their ages. They have been remanded to the Essex County Youth House.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC (1-877-847-7432).