Indictment: Robbery attempt lead to woman’s murder at cockfight

Three men have been indicted in connection with a fatal shooting of a 41-year-old New York woman and an attempted robbery that took place during a cockfight at a home in Newark, authorities said Monday.

Authorities allege that between June 28 and 29, 2014, Samir Thomas, 24; Kelvin Diaz, 31 and Luis Ortiz, 28 conspired to commit an armed robbery of the attendees of a cockfight which was being held in a residence on 3rd Avenue in the city's North Ward.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a statement that in the midst of attempting to commit the robbery, Thomas shot Maria Cruz, a resident of Rockaway, N.Y. She died as a result of the gunshot wound, police said.

Thomas, an Elizabeth resident, has been indicted on 10 counts including attempted robbery, felony murder, conspiracy, manslaughter, attempted burglary and weapon possession. He is currently in custody in North Carolina.

Diaz, also of Elizabeth, was indicted on seven counts, which include felony murder, attempted robbery and weapons charges. He is lodged at Essex County Correctional Facility.

Ortiz, a Newark resident, was indicted on charges conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit burglary and animal cruelty charges. He was released from custody.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.