Juvenile Held in Killing of Two Newark Children

Authorities say a 15-year-old boy faces 2 counts of murder in the Christmas night slayings of two Newark children.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray announced the arrest Tuesday afternoon.

She says the juvenile, whose name was not disclosed due to his age, is also charged with attempted murder of a third shooting victim and weapons charges. He's being held in a youth detention facility.

The juvenile was apprehended in connection with the fatal shootings of a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy outside a home in the southern end of Newark near Interstate 78.

A funeral for the girl, Zainee Hailey, was held Tuesday. The honors student had returned from her grandfather's house in Elizabeth and was taking out the trash when she was shot.

Newark will end 2013 with more than 100 murders, the most the city has had since 2006.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)