NEWARK - Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Wednesday evening near the intersection of Evergreen Avenue and Hanford Street.

The shooting, which witnesses at the scene said occurred at approximately 9 p.m., left one unidentified male victim dead.

Details of the incident were not immediately available, said a spokesman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. But witnesses at the scene described hearing several gunshots.

"I heard one shot and then a lot of shots," said one man who had gone to a liquor store a half a block from the shooting and declined to give his name. "Then I saw a red SUV take off [towards Frelinghuysen Avenue]."

An employee of the liquor store said there were several people on the street moments before the shooting occurred, then several of them ran when the shots were fired, he said.

Another man, who identified himself as "Coach D.," was just returning home from a summer academic enrichment program he helps run. The victim's body lay just a short distance from his house.



Coach D. expressed frustration and sadness as he reflected on what is an all too common occurrence in his neighborhood.

"You don't even know how many times we see the same scene. You can't even come home in peace," said Coach D., who later added that this is at least the fourth time he's seen a fatal shooting in the area. The shooting occurred in the shadow of the Seth Boyden high rises, city housing for elderly residents, many of whom were outside on the cool summer night.



"Newark's not getting any better. New mayor, and it doesn't matter," he said.

Please check back for additional updates.

Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.