NEWARK, NJ—The Newark Public Safety Department is seeking assistance in locating 40-year-old Kiki Clark for questioning about an aggravated assault shooting that occurred on Monday, May 13.
The incident took place at approximately 3:55 a.m., where a victim was shot in the leg at an unspecified location. The victim was subsequently transported to University Hospital.
Clark is described as a white female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, with brown hair and hazel eyes.
Public Safety Director Fritz G. Fragé has urged anyone with information about Clark’s whereabouts to contact the Newark Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).
All tips received can be anonymous and may qualify for a reward. Information can also be submitted via the Police Division’s website.
- One dead, two children injured in early morning Jersey City fire
JERSEY CITY, NJ — One person has died and four others, including two children, were seriously injured in a fire on Summit Avenue in Jersey City, according to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The fire, which broke out early Monday, prompted a multi-agency response involving the Jersey City Fire Department and the Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force. Authorities confirmed that two adults and two juveniles sustained serious injuries and were transported to area hospitals for treatment.
“Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement on social media. “At this time, the HCPO can confirm that one victim has been pronounced deceased.”
Several firefighters were also treated for injuries of varying severity, though officials have not yet specified the number or the nature of those injuries.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. No information has been released regarding the identity of the deceased or the injured victims.
Authorities continue probe into cause of blaze
The Hudson County Regional Arson Task Force is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, working alongside local fire officials. Officials have not yet determined whether the fire was accidental or deliberately set.
The incident occurred on Summit Avenue, a residential area in the city’s Heights neighborhood. Witnesses reported heavy smoke and flames as firefighters arrived to battle the blaze in the early morning hours.
- Over 100 dogs rescued from abandoned New Jersey animal testing lab didn’t know what grass was
TRENTON, NJ — A resurfaced video showing more than 100 neglected beagles rescued from a shuttered animal testing facility in New Jersey has reignited scrutiny of Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), whose company previously owned the lab. The renewed attention follows Thanedar’s recent move to file articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.
The footage, originally filmed in 2010, captures volunteers from animal rights groups helping beagles off transport trucks, trimming nails, and comforting visibly distressed animals who appeared to have never set foot on grass. The animals had been left behind after Thanedar’s company, Azopharma, filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations at its AniClin Preclinical Services facility in Ewing, NJ.
Key Points
- Shri Thanedar’s former lab left 118 beagles and 55 monkeys behind after bankruptcy in 2010.
- Resurfaced video shows animals rescued by activists over Independence Day weekend.
- Claims that animals “starved to death” remain unconfirmed by official reports or witnesses.
Thanedar has stated he no longer had operational control of the lab once Bank of America seized it during the bankruptcy process. Nonetheless, activists and former employees said animals were abandoned inside, prompting emergency efforts to rescue and feed them. Reports from the time say some staff scaled fences to deliver food and water to the animals until rescue groups arrived.
“There is no evidence that the animals starved to death,” a 2018 HuffPost investigation reported, directly refuting a viral claim widely circulating on social media. USDA records had cited the facility for expired medications and poor cage conditions, but no fatalities from starvation were documented.
Thanedar has defended his handling of the situation, claiming the lab followed USDA guidelines during its operation and that the decision to lock out staff was made by the bank, not him. Despite those assertions, the Humane Society Legislative Fund previously criticized Thanedar for allegedly resisting efforts to move the animals to sanctuaries after closure.
Political fallout and resurfaced allegations
The controversy has resurfaced as Thanedar introduces seven articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, drawing sharp responses from conservative lawmakers and commentators. Opponents have pointed to the animal lab incident as evidence undermining Thanedar’s moral authority.
Thanedar transitioned to politics after selling off his business interests, facing separate civil legal issues in the years following the lab closure. While all animals were ultimately rescued, the incident remains a political flashpoint more than a decade later.
As Thanedar targets Trump, critics spotlight the abandoned animals at his former New Jersey lab.
- Key North Jersey Democrat and Family Members Indicted for Election Ballot Fraud
TRENTON, NJ — Paterson City Council President Alex Mendez, along with his wife and three other individuals, has been charged in a superseding indictment for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to steal and falsify ballots during Paterson’s May 2020 municipal election, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced Tuesday.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) said Mendez and co-defendants Yohanny Mendez, Omar Ledesma, Iris Rigo, and Ninoska Adames face multiple charges including election fraud, forgery, and witness tampering.
The indictment stems from an investigation that began after hundreds of mail-in ballots were discovered in a mailbox in Haledon, while all voting was being conducted by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Points
- Paterson Council President Alex Mendez and others charged in expanded election fraud case.
- Accusations include ballot theft, forgery, witness tampering, and voter registration fraud.
- Investigation began when mail-in ballots were found discarded in a neighboring town.
“This case is not simply about a city council seat,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The people’s right to vote and to have their voices heard was subverted by what we allege to be an unlawful conspiracy.” According to OPIA, the expanded investigation uncovered new allegations of witness tampering and theft related to the 2020 vote-by-mail election.
The 10-count indictment includes new third-degree charges of theft and receiving stolen property for allegedly stealing and possessing others’ ballots. It also includes a new charge of witness tampering after investigators say the defendants encouraged witnesses to provide false or contradictory statements.
Election fraud and public records violations detailed
The defendants are accused of submitting fake or fraudulent vote-by-mail registrations and ballots, falsifying voter certificates, and interfering with the state’s investigation. Ninoska Adames faces third-degree charges of hindering apprehension and tampering with public records for allegedly submitting a fraudulent vote-by-mail certificate and lying to investigators.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, they face penalties ranging from 18 months to 10 years in state prison and fines up to $150,000 depending on the degree of the offense.
Deputy Attorneys General Diana Bibb and Lisa Cialino are prosecuting the case for OPIA under the supervision of senior officials in the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
Mail-in ballot dump leads to sweeping indictment of Paterson political figures.
- Newark police hunt suspect after South 11th Street shooting
NEWARK, N.J. — Newark authorities are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect involved in a shooting incident that took place Wednesday afternoon on South 11th Street, according to Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda, Sr.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 9, officers responded to reports of shots fired along the 300 block of South 11th Street. Upon arrival, police discovered a spent shell casing on the sidewalk and a shattered window at a nearby first-floor residence. No injuries were reported.
Key Points
- Police responded to shots fired on the 300 block of South 11th Street on Wednesday.
- A suspect with a thin build and braided hair is being sought.
- Authorities urge anyone with information to contact the 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line.
Witnesses told officers that two males riding e-bikes were targeted when a suspect pulled out a firearm and fired at them. After the shooting, the victims reportedly fled by jumping a fence and running through a backyard.
Detectives described the suspect as a male with a thin build and short braided hair. At the time of the shooting, he wore a black hooded sweatshirt, gray and black Nike sweatpants, and black and gray sneakers.
Public safety officials call for community assistance
Director Miranda issued a statement encouraging community members to come forward with any information regarding the identity of the suspect. “We urge anyone with information about the identity of this suspect to call the Police Division’s 24-hour Crime Stopper tip line,” Miranda said.
Investigators continue to canvass the area and review surveillance footage in hopes of generating leads. Authorities have not disclosed a motive behind the shooting.
Surveillance images circulated in search for shooter
Photos of the suspect have been released through the Department of Public Safety’s social media channels. Police emphasized that all tips will remain confidential and could help bring resolution to the ongoing investigation.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477).
- Wildfire risk elevated across New Jersey as dry, gusty conditions raise warnings
TRENTON, NJ — The National Weather Service has issued a Special Weather Statement warning of an elevated wildfire risk across New Jersey today, fueled by low humidity and gusty southwesterly winds.
According to the US National Weather Service offices in Philadelphia/Mount Holly and New York, relative humidity values are expected to fall between 25% and 35% this afternoon. Winds are forecasted to reach speeds of 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, creating hazardous conditions for rapid fire spread if ignitions occur.
Key Points
- Special Weather Statement issued for New Jersey and Delaware due to high wildfire risk
- Northern New Jersey faces “Very High” fire danger; Central and Southern New Jersey listed as “High”
- No campfire restrictions in effect, but officials urge caution due to dry conditions
Dry fuels, strong winds raise wildfire threat across the state
The New Jersey Forest Fire Service (NJFFS) reports that fine fuels — such as grasses, leaves, and small branches — have continued to dry, increasing the potential for fast-moving wildfires. Although no campfire restrictions are currently in place, the NJFFS warns that any new fires could quickly become difficult to control under today’s conditions.
Northern New Jersey is currently experiencing a “Very High” fire danger rating, with a Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) of 98 and a Buildup Index of 25. Central and Southern New Jersey are both listed at “High” fire danger levels, with Southern New Jersey registering the highest KBDI at 115.
Fire patrols, restrictions, and agricultural burning policies
Despite the elevated fire danger, there are no new campfire restrictions or agricultural burning bans in effect across the state. However, the NJFFS is actively monitoring fire danger indices and may implement restrictions if conditions worsen.
Officials are reminding residents that fires must be contained within a prepared fire ring — made of steel, stone, brick, or concrete — and that any open burning must not endanger surrounding forests or grasslands.
Weather conditions expected to ease overnight
Meteorologists expect winds to weaken and humidity levels to rise tonight, reducing the immediate fire risk. However, until then, authorities stress heightened vigilance to prevent any accidental ignitions from escalating into wildfires.
Dry air, gusty winds, and parched vegetation put New Jersey on high wildfire alert today.
