On the night of January 13, 2016, gunshots on the 800 block of South 14th Street in Newark, New Jersey, left 43-year-old Thomas Smith with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to University Hospital and pronounced dead shortly after midnight. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force and the Newark Police Department opened an active investigation, but authorities did not release a motive or suspect descriptions at the time.

A later countywide operation called Operation Essex led to the arrest of numerous fugitives wanted for serious crimes, including several homicide suspects, but it is not clear whether any arrests from that sweep were tied to Smith’s killing. Detectives continued to pursue leads in the case.

If anyone has information about Thomas Smith, his last known movements, or the events on South 14th Street that night, please share what is known with investigators.