On October 30, 2016, a Halloween party at a second-floor art gallery at 119 Broadway in Newburgh erupted in gunfire at about 12:45 a.m. Seven people were shot; two young women died. One of the victims was 20-year-old Tabitha C. Tabby Cruz of Newburgh. The other deceased victim was 18-year-old Omani Free. Five additional partygoers were wounded and were expected to survive.

Tabitha was a student at Ulster County Community College who hoped to become a veterinarian and coached young cheerleaders. Her father, Miguel Cruz, described her as widely known and loved in the community. The City of Newburgh Police, New York State Police, and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office opened the investigation immediately.

In the days after the shooting two Newburgh men were arrested: 21-year-old Rainier Hamilton on weapons possession and tampering with physical evidence charges, and 20-year-old Tyson Oliveira on tampering with physical evidence charges. Police identified 17-year-old Nija A. Johnson as wanted for second-degree murder in the deaths; authorities allege Johnson opened fire and that Hamilton disarmed him, with security footage reportedly showing Hamilton carrying the handgun used into a back room and the weapon later found outside a window of that room.

If anyone at the party or in Newburgh has information about what happened that night, please share what is known.