2 Men Killed, Another Wounded in Newark Shootings

Two men were killed and another was wounded in separate shootings in Newark, the latest in a spate of violent incidents that have plagued New Jersey's largest city in recent weeks.

But Essex County authorities say motives for the shootings, which both occurred Tuesday, remain under investigation.

The first shooting happened around 3:45 p.m., when 18-year-old city resident Kendell Owens was shot several times in the area of Osborne Terrace and Clinton Avenue. He was taken to a hospital, where he died a short time later.

The second shooting occurred around 11:45 p.m. in the 900 block of South 20th and Hopkins Place. Authorities say 36-year-old Shaheed Cook of Newark was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 37-year-old city man was wounded but survived.

Authorities say it appears the two men were targeted. but did not disclose further details. The wounded man's name was not disclosed, and further details on his injuries were not disclosed.

Owens and Cook were the fourth and fifth person killed in Newark since Sunday morning. That violent stretch comes just weeks after ten people were killed during a 10-day period in late August and early September

Overall, Newark has recorded 78 homicides this year, compared to 71 during the same period in 2012.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)