Stevenson Valentin
NEWARK, NJ — Stevenson Valentin, of Maplewood, the alleged gunman in the quadruple shooting on Cleveland Street in Orange Township on Thursday, Nov. 3, that killed 21-month-old Marcus Milien and his 21-year-old uncle, Morlens Milice, was arrested by Newark Police Department officers during a traffic stop Saturday, Dec. 3.
Valentin was to be arraigned by Judge Ronald J. Wigler on Tuesday, Dec. 6, confirmed Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Homicide and Major Crimes Task Force on Monday, Dec. 5.
“Stevenson was charged with two counts of murder, possession of a weapon, possession unlawful purpose and two counts of aggravated assault on the two other shooting victims on the same day,” acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray said in a press release on Saturday, Dec. 3. “Stevenson was arrested in the city of Newark during a traffic stop by Newark police officers. During this stop, the officers determined he was wanted for the Orange murders.”
Murray said Stevenson’s bail was set at $1 million by Essex County Superior Court Judge Richard T. Sules with no 10-percent option. He was being held at the Essex County correctional facility in Newark as of Monday, Dec. 5. Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Quovella Spruill commended the members of the Homicide Task Force for their hard work and efforts during this investigation.
North Ward Councilwoman Tency Eason said the commendations are well-deserved. Eason serves as the Orange City Council’s liaison to the police department and her son, Ike Eason, is a member of the Orange Police Department.
“I just want to congratulate the Newark police for catching him so soon and getting him off the streets,” Eason said Tuesday, Dec. 6. “Congratulations on good police work. I also want to congratulate our Orange Police Department because, even though they weren’t mentioned in the official statement about the incident, I know they’re working hard. Thank you, thank you very much for working hard to make our community safer.”
Orange City Council President and East Ward Councilman Kerry Coley, who is a retired Orange police officer, praised Valentin’s apprehension.
“The suspect’s apprehension and arrest by Newark police is a triumph for good police work,” Coley said Tuesday, Dec. 6. “The Nov. 3 shootings were not something that could have been prevented by police or the lack of police. This was just a horrible, horrible, horrible situation. It’s not the cops’ fault. We could have been fully staffed or have all your moving parts in place, but when someone is hell-bent on targeting a specific individual, they’re going to get that individual. These people at that house on Cleveland Street were targeted and there’s nothing that anyone could have done to prevent it.”
Murray stated on Friday, Nov. 4, that the deceased toddler’s father, whose name was not released, was one of two survivors of the quadruple shooting and remains hospitalized “in stable condition.” She said the fourth victim, a 15-year-old male, who was apparently sitting on the front porch of 234 Cleveland St. with the other three victims when the incident occurred, was also shot, but has been treated and released from the hospital.
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