On the evening of August 17, 2026, 21-year-old Royce Asaad Lamont Westry of Irvington was fatally shot inside a residence in the 700 block of South 16th Street in Newark. Emergency responders transported him to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at approximately 6:19 p.m.

Royce, born October 26, 2004, was described by family as a quiet, loving young man with a gentle spirit. He attended Marion P. Thomas Charter School and was enrolled at Essex County College. He worked at FedEx and had played football and boxed. His parents, John Westry and Deidre Dancer, his grandmother, cousin Theresa Bearfield, and numerous siblings survive him.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and Newark’s Shooting Response Team launched an immediate homicide investigation. As of late August 2026, no suspect or motive had been publicly identified and the probe remained active. If anyone knew Royce, his routines, or saw activity near South 16th Street on the evening of August 17, what can you share with investigators?