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Second Suspect In Newark Executions Surrenders

15-Year-Old Boy Apprehended Wednesday Night; Other Suspects Still May Be At Large

NEWARK (CBS) ― Just moments after Newark Mayor Cory Booker announced a murder warrant was issued for the arrest of 31-year-old Jose Carranza in the schoolyard executions that claimed the lives of three college students last weekend, Carranza turned himself in to Essex County police with his attorney at his side.

Booker also confirmed a 15-year-old boy was apprehended Wednesday night in connection to the shootings. Police apprehended the teen Wednesday night before issuing a murder warrant for Carranza shortly before noon Thursday.

The teen's identity was not released due to his age. Carranza is also known as Jose La Chira.

Booker said police used ballistics and forensic evidence to target the suspects after a fingerprint was lifted from a beer bottle at the scene.

The attorney for Carranza, Felix Montalvo, who Booker said he is very friendly with, called Booker to tell him he had the suspect in custody. Booker then agreed to meet with Montalvo and Carranza at 22 Franklin Street where police took the suspect into custody.

Booker's disdain toward Carranza was very apparent in his voice when reporters asked about his encounter with the suspect.

"I had absolutely nothing to say to this individual," he emphasized. "I don't think words can describne the level of emotion of I feel about this individual and all these individuals and what they've allegedly done to these families. I really cannot express it to you what they've done."

Essex County Prosecutor Paula Dow added there could be more arrests to come. "We believe that others were involved in this heinous crime," she said. "We're looking for them.

Booker would not elaborate on how many other suspects were at large, but says law enforcement officials are actively pursuing them. "We have very storong leads. I am confident all the suspects in this case will be apprehended," he said. "I want these killers off our streets."

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Carranza is accused of three counts of murder, four counts of robbery, and one count of attempted murder.

The attempted murder charge is for a fourth victim in the attack, 19-year-old Natasha Aeriel, who's currently recovering and has been able to identify at least one of her attackers.

Despite being under sedation for periods, she has provided authorities with information about the shootings.

"She's gone through a tremendous tragedy," Mayor Cory A. Booker said. "We're working with her to the extent that doctors will allow."

Ms. Aeriel's 18-year-old brother Terrance Aeriel, along with their friends, 20-year-old friend Iofemi Hightower and 20-year-old Deshawn Harvey were all forced to kneel by a wall behind Mount Vernon School in Newark where they were each shot in the head.

All four were students at Delaware State University and had never been involved in a crime before.

There were reports that police believed the shootings were gang related after the name of a gang sect was allegedly spray painted near the scene, but officials said Thursday that there was no reason to believe the murders were a result of gang activity.

Authorities have said robbery could be the motive.

The killings brought unwanted publicity to the city, which has struggled for years with violent crime. On Wednesday, Booker again sought to assure the public that the crime would be solved.

"We are determined to find all those responsible for these heinous acts," Booker said. "We have encouraging leads on this case."

Security cameras that may have provided clues may have been vandalized in the 24 hours before the shootings. Two cameras mounted high on the side of the elementary school where the killings took place were found hanging by their wires by technicians, according to a security official for the Newark school district.

The three friends will be buried Saturday in separate services.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)