Laquan T. Nowlin, a 32-year-old juvenile detention officer from East Orange, New Jersey, was shot and killed in Newark’s West Ward on the night of July 3, 2020. After briefly leaving a family gathering on Lanark Avenue to get food, he returned and parked near Sanford and Lanark avenues. At about 11:50 p.m. a dark-colored sedan pulled up, a person got out of the passenger side and fired multiple shots into Nowlin’s vehicle, striking him in the neck and chest. The shooter then fled south on Sanford Avenue.

Officers who responded to 911 calls found Nowlin in his car; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, with Newark detectives, is handling the investigation. Authorities say there is no indication the attack was related to his work, and no arrests or public suspect identifications have been announced. The Essex County Sheriff’s Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

If anyone who was in the Sanford and Lanark area that night saw the dark-colored sedan or has information that could help, please come forward.