Irvington suffers its fourth homicide of the year

IRVINGTON, NJ — The township suffered another setback in its ongoing struggle to make Irvington safe and clean on Tuesday, Oct. 25, when the fourth homicide of the year occurred on Myrtle Avenue.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Irvington police Director Tracy Bowers announced the Irvington Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide and Major Crimes Task Force are investigating a fatal shooting.

“Yesterday, at approximately 4:35 p.m., Lloyd R. Brummel Jr., 38, of Irvington was shot multiple times in the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue,” said Murray in a press release on Wednesday, Oct. 26. “He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:49 p.m. At this time, no suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Tony Vauss reiterated that, despite an overall reduction in crime and a decrease in homicides since he was sworn into office in 2014, “Even one homicide is one too many.”

Vauss and Bowers said that recent homicides in Irvington appear to have been targeted incidents — meaning the shooters likely do not represent an imminent or immediate threat to the general public — and law enforcement officers will be doing all they can to catch those responsible.

Irvington had only one reported homicide in the first nine months of the year, a streak broken on Sunday, Oct. 9, by a shooting at an apartment in the Crescent Lane section of the Irvington Housing Authority; the third occurred soon after, on Thursday, Oct. 13, on Montgomery Street.

“Our fourth homicide was an unfortunate incident, in which the victim was specifically targeted,” said Bowers on Tuesday, Nov. 1. “Through excellent police work, the individuals responsible have been identified and have active warrants and we are eagerly searching to take them into custody. Last year, we had 14 homicides. To date, we only have four, which is a tremendous reduction, as a result of proactive police efforts and the assistance of the community. We are committed to keeping Irvington safe.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide-Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 877-847-7432.