Newark, New Jersey — On the afternoon of Monday, January 19, 2026, 42‑year‑old Newark resident Wali Bey was shot and killed by a Newark police officer near the intersection of Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue. The state Attorney General’s Office confirmed Bey’s identity Friday, as the independent investigation into the lethal encounter continues.
It was just after 1 p.m. when uniformed and plain‑clothes officers, along with marked police vehicles, were conducting surveillance tied to an active investigation in a neighborhood known for narcotics activity. Officers approached several civilians when Officer Nashid Reynolds stepped out of his vehicle and, moments later, fired his weapon at a car, striking two people inside. Bey was one of them. He was rushed to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:51 p.m. The other person hit survived and later left the hospital.
Within hours of the shooting, family members and neighbors began sharing their own version of what happened. They say Bey was sitting in a white van when several plain‑clothes people in unmarked cars approached. Those close to him told local media the men wore masks and had guns drawn, and Bey may have believed he was under threat when the van tried to drive away. Those claims, including that shots were fired through the windshield, haven’t been confirmed by authorities.
The Attorney General’s Office released a brief statement that confirmed the basic timeline and identities but did not go into detail about what led up to the shooting. New Jersey law requires that any police encounter resulting in death be independently reviewed, and this case will be presented to a grand jury when the investigation is complete.
Across Newark, reactions have been raw and emotional. On Thursday night, about 80 people gathered outside Newark Police Headquarters in protest, chanting Bey’s name and calling for Officer Reynolds to be fired. In the days before, mourners held vigils, released balloons, and shared memories of Bey as a father and lifelong resident of the city.
Bey’s funeral was held Thursday at Funeraria Las Americas, where hundreds of friends, family, and community members paid their respects before his burial at Rosemont Cemetery in nearby Elizabeth. The grief was palpable, with many saying they want answers and transparency from law enforcement.
City leaders, including Newark’s mayor and public safety officials, have urged calm while the investigation unfolds. They have acknowledged the pain the incident has caused but reminded residents that an impartial review is underway. No additional details have been released by authorities as of now.
