On the night of June 23, 2025, 18-year-old Brandyn Waters of Paterson was killed in a mass shooting on the 300-block of 6th Avenue in Newark, near the East Orange border. Around 11:40 p.m., multiple shooters or gunfire erupted, striking five people; Brandyn sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Four other male victims, two 19-year-olds, a 24-year-old and a 26-year-old, were wounded and transported for treatment.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force is leading the investigation. At the time of this report no suspects had been identified or arrested, and the motive remained unclear. Family members remembered Brandyn, known to some as Stunna, as a young man with big dreams; a fundraiser was set up to assist with funeral expenses. If anyone witnessed the shooting or has information about that night, please come forward to investigators.