A New Jersey man accused of gunning down his ex-girlfriend over the weekend has turned himself in, officials announced.
Kasim McDonald is facing a count of first-degree murder and three second-degree weapons offenses in connection with the death of Shaneequah Williams, the Newark Department of Public Safety and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced on Monday.
The 45-year-old victim was found on Saturday suffering from several gunshot wounds inside her apartment on Astor Street in Newark, NJ Advance Media reported. Despite first responders’ efforts to revive her, Williams was pronounced dead on the scene.
Neighbors and passersby said they heard screaming coming from inside the residence, and then what sounded like gunfire, before police arrived on the scene around 11 a.m., according to RLS Media. By that time, however, the suspect had already fled, prompting a massive search effort spanning multiple counties.
McDonald, who is an employee of the City of Newark, surrendered to authorities at the Essex County Jail hours later.
While a specific motive has not yet been provided, authorities believe it was an act of domestic violence. They have also asked anyone with information regarding the deadly incident to contact local law enforcement or the Essex County Prosecutor’s office tip line.
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