On Monday, Essex County investigators were actively searching for a suspect driving a black SUV involved in a tragic shooting in Belleville. The incident, which occurred on Mill Street, resulted in the death of 37-year-old Francis Medina and injuries to a 4-year-old boy who was nearby. The shooting happened around 2 p.m. Saturday, and the child was in stable condition as of Monday, with authorities hopeful for a full recovery.
According to law enforcement, the assailant exited the SUV and began firing while Medina and the child were standing outside an apartment building. The shooter’s description was not yet available, and it was not confirmed whether the wounded child was Medina’s son. The local community, which has largely been free of such violence, was shocked by the event. Business owner Robert Cuadrado expressed his disbelief, noting it was the first shooting in the area in his 25 years of residence.
Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 877-847-7432 to aid in the investigation.