North Arlington, NJ – A double homicide investigation is underway after two men were fatally shot Sunday night near the intersection of Ridge Road and Belleville Turnpike, where Ridge Road becomes Kearny Avenue at the border of North Arlington and Kearny. The victims were later identified as Brian Dominick Lockett, 28, of North Arlington, and Ezequiel Aquino, 29, of Newark.
According to a release from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, North Arlington police received multiple reports of gunfire at approximately 8:37 p.m. Sunday. Officers, assisted by the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, Kearny Police Department, and Lyndhurst Police Department, found both men suffering from gunshot wounds and immediately began life-saving efforts alongside members of the Bergen County Rapid Deployment Team.
Victims died after being transported to hospital
Both victims were taken by separate ambulances to University Hospital in Newark, where they were later pronounced dead, prosecutors said.
Investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Squad responded to the scene and launched a joint investigation with the North Arlington Police Department shortly after the shooting.
Authorities say incident was isolated
The preliminary investigation determined the shooting occurred near the intersection but was “not directly related to any of the commercial establishments in that area,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
Detectives also said the violence “was isolated” and “involved an altercation between two small groups of people with no wider threat or ongoing danger to the community.”
Investigation continues
The investigation remains active and is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jeff Angermeyer and the North Arlington Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Horton.
Authorities have not announced any arrests, identified any suspects, or released additional details about what led to the shooting. Prosecutors said no further information is available at this time.
