Deshawn H. Beeks was 22 when he was fatally shot the evening of July 17, 2017. The shooting happened about 11:46 p.m. in the 100 block of Oration Street in Newark’s North Ward; he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after midnight on July 18, 2017. Born January 8, 1995, Beeks lived in Newark. Funeral services were held July 28, 2017, at Perry Funeral Home in Newark, with interment at Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department launched a joint investigation through the Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and asked the public for information. As of the time of those reports, the motive had not been determined and no suspects or arrests were publicly identified. If anyone has information about what happened that night or knew Deshawn, please come forward.