Newark Man Convicted After Deadly Street Shooting That Took Life of Innocent Woman
A jury in New Jersey found a Newark man guilty of manslaughter for shooting an innocent lady on a city street nearly three years ago. In a case that startled people and highlighted gun violence in crowded urban districts, the verdict is significant.
Authorities say 28-year-old Altaariq Palmer was convicted on Monday of killing Irvington resident Latoya Miller-Kone, 41. An extensive investigation and 10-day trial by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the events leading up to the deadly gunshot.
Newark’s 900 block of 18th Avenue was the scene on May 22, 2023, evening. Palmer engaged in a fight with many people earlier that evening, according to prosecutors. Investigators found surveillance footage of Palmer shouting and fighting with a group 35 minutes before the incident.
Palmer left the area after the fight, according to video. Investigators informed the court he returned to the same place. He returned wearing a mask and fired 14 rounds at the earlier confrontation participants, according to prosecutors.
Despite not being involved, Latoya Miller-Kone was shot during the shooting. She lay on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to the head when police arrived. After being taken to University Hospital in Newark, she died 30 minutes later from her injuries.
Authorities said another person was shot but survived.
The jury convicted Palmer of second-degree passion-provocation manslaughter for Miller-Kone’s killing. Jurors also convicted him of third-degree aggravated assault and firearms violations.
Passion-provocation manslaughter is less serious than murder in New Jersey. The law allows a person to kill during an extreme emotional reaction after provocation before calming down. Courts call this a transient loss of self-control that reduces murder to manslaughter.
In court, prosecutors claimed that Palmer returned to the site after the fight and fired multiple shots at the group. The proceedings established the fatal shooting sequence using surveillance film and testimony.
Palmer fears lengthy prison time after his conviction. He could be sentenced to ten years in state prison for manslaughter when he returns to court. April 24 is his sentencing date.
An attorney for Palmer was unavailable to comment on the verdict after it was announced.
Essex County is interested in the case because the victim was unrelated to the conflict that started the firing. The shooting shows how personal violence may swiftly imperil bystanders and innocent neighbors, authorities added.
Police continue to stress community assistance and camera footage in solving violent crimes. Video and witness testimony helped investigators reconstruct the shooting’s events, which were crucial to the trial.
While the conviction ends the case, Palmer’s sentence hearing next month will determine his legal fate for the fatal shot.
Sources
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
New Jersey Judiciary
University Hospital Newark official records
