Melja T. Oliver was found with gunshot wounds lying on the sidewalk on the 500 block of Main Street in East Orange around 12:50 a.m. Friday, June 3, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, said.
He was rushed to University Hospital in Newark where he pronounced dead at 1:31 a.m.
Childhood and neighborhood friends mourned Oliver's loss on Facebook.
"Melja Oliver I will not put RIP I will say I love you bro forever nothing but greatness this just can’t be real," another added. "🙏🙏🙏❤️♥️💙💜 you will forever be in my heart dammmmmm."
The investigation is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
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