Crime & Safety
Man Charged with Manslaughter in Baby's Death Found Dead Thursday
Wakir Bryant was fighting indictment at the time of his death.
A Belleville man who was facing manslaughter charges for the fatal shooting of a toddler in 2011 was himself killed early Thursday morning in what officials believe was a targeted attack, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced.
The body of Wakir Bryant, 29, was found around 1 am by Newark police on patrol near Peshine and Renner avenues. He had been shot, the prosecutor’s office said.
Bryant had been free on bail after being indicted for reckless manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. Mikhy Robinson, 2, deid of a gunshot wound in December 2011, at an apartment in Newark. The trial in that case was delayed because Bryant was seeking to have his indictment dismissed, arguing there was insufficient evidence.
No arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-877-847-7432.
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