Aug 6, 2007 10:13 pm US/Eastern
Outrage After Students Executed In Newark
Three Victims Found Dead By Elementary School Playground; Fourth Miraculously Survives
Reward For Information In Case Grows To $52,000
by Magee Hickey
NEWARK (CBS) ―
There is heartbreak and outrage in Newark after an execution-style shooting outside an elementary school left three college students dead and a fourth seriously injured Saturday night. Authorities are still struggling to find a motive in the shootings of the four friends, and have since called the incident a random act.
Natasha Aeriel, 19, and her 18-year-old brother Terrance, along with their friends, 20-year-old friend Iofemi Hightower and 20-year-old Deshawn Harvey were all forced to kneel by the playground behind Mount Vernon School where they were each shot in the head.
Relatives of the victims tell CBS 2 that each was lined up and shot point-blank.
Ms. Aeriel was the lone survivor, found on the ground about 30 feet away from the other victims. She remains in stable condition at University Hospital in Newark.
Police say they were hanging out in the parking lot of the school listening to music when a group of men joined them. Investigators admit they have no suspects and few clues in the murders, which bring the total to 60 in Newark so far this year. Late Monday, the reward for information that leads to arrests and convictions in this case rose to $52,000.
According to Newark Mayor Cory Booker, the victims were Newark's success stories: hard-working Delaware State University students who never had any run-ins with the law. "First thing I want to say is we're doing everything possible to capture these individuals involved," Booker said. "This breaks the heart of our city. This is something that is really a blow to every resident of this city. We must come together."
But a group called "Take Back Our Streets" is holding Booker accountable for the shootings, and held a rally at City Hall demanding his resignation.
"The rally today is to get better policing and better protection up here because this neighborhood is under seige. A lot of car robberies, break-ins. Muggings, and everything up here," said demonstrator Frank Bristol.
Hightower's mother tearfully pleaded for Booker to make swift actions after the shootings.
"[I want] Cory Booker to do something! I'm grieving, but at the same time I want him to do something," Shalga Hightower said.
Still, Newark's homicide total is down from this time last year, when the murder count was at 63, and many feel Booker has done a good job as mayor.
"I don't think it's his fault. It's going to take time. They have to give him time. This was corrupted since before. It's not going to happen overnight," said Newark resident Carol Francois. "He's just started, you have to give him time. This problem started way before his time."
Harvey's father, James, also agreed that the blame wasn't on Booker. "I blame you guys, the parents of America. If you raised your kids better this world would be a better place to live," he said.
Meanwhile, instead of planning for back-to-school for the victims, now family members are planning their funeral arrangements.
"It hurts. I've seen many tragedies. This is the worst I've seen in my 54 years as a preacher and a pastor," said Rev. John McClain, the Newark Police chaplain, and Hightower's uncle.
McClain and other family members were trying to console her mother on the front steps of her Irvington home.
"She had no enemies. She was a sweetheart. She was sweet. She had no enemies. She got along with everybody," her brother Jamar said.
Delware State officials say a memorial service is planned for the victims on Aug. 28.
"We are deeply saddened over the violent shooting incident that took the lives of two of our students and left one seriously injured," university President Allen Sessoms said in a statement. "While the murder of the two students is a terribly loss in human terms, the facts that they were a part of the DSU family and were striving to earn a degree, create a bright future for themselves and become a solid contributors to society, makes this violent act especially tragic and senseless."
Police are offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
