Newark resident fatally stabs home invader; Violent 2-day period leaves 5 dead

NEWARK, N.J. (WABC) -- Violence in New Jersey's largest city claimed the lives of five people in two days, though police confirm that one of the fatalities was a home invader stabbed to death by the resident.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says it all began Tuesday just before midnight, when 32-year-old Andre Singh and another man were shot during a home invasion robbery on Sanford Avenue. Singh died at a hospital, while the other man remains hospitalized in stable condition. His name is not being released at this time.

About three hours later, 28-year-old Dashir Donaldson, of Irvington was shot on the 200 block of Ridgewood Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Then, just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, 34-year-old George Cuevas was fatally stabbed by an occupant of an apartment he was allegedly trying to burglarize.

At approximately 7:47 p.m. Wednesday, 53-year-old Michael Dantzler was fatally shot at his home on South 11th Street during a dispute.

Finally, a young male was found dead at approximately 5 a.m. Thursday by a passerby in Ivy Hill Park in the vicinity of Mount Vernon Place and Manor Drive. The victim appears to have sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He has not been identified yet.

All five homicides are under active investigation.

At this time, no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC. Calls will be kept confidential.

At this stage of the investigations there is no indication that the homicides are related.

Officials say that countywide homicides are up approximately 31 percent. Last year at this time, there were 55 homicides in Newark. So far this year, there have been 58 homicides in the city of Newark, an increase of three. Homicides are up by eight in East Orange, three in Orange and by one in Irvington, Belleville and Nutley.