Ziyad Cook was a 16-year-old student-athlete from Irvington High School who was shot and killed on the evening of June 26, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. He and a 17-year-old friend were near the 200 block of Brookdale Avenue when gunfire erupted around 6:00 p.m. Both were taken to University Hospital; the 17-year-old was listed in critical condition, and Ziyad was pronounced dead at 9:19 p.m. that night.

Ziyad is remembered for his dedication to academics and football. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force is leading an active investigation; no motive has been released and no suspects have been publicly identified or arrested. Very little else about the circumstances has been disclosed.

If anyone was near Brookdale Avenue on June 26 and saw or heard anything that could help, please come forward with information.