Man, 2-Year-Old Boy Shot Dead In Orange, NJ

ORANGE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) - A man in his 20s and a 2-year-old boy were killed in a shooting Orange, New Jersey Thursday afternoon.

As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco reported, the Essex County Prosecutor's office said the shooting took place at 234 Cleveland St., between Alden and Washington streets, just after 3 p.m.

Residents were stunned Thursday night as investigators surrounded the home. The investigators used a large floodlight to illuminate their work.

"I don't know why they would kill a little kid," said Jensy Marcelin or Orange.

Indihira Payano heard the frantic cries from her neighbors when the shooting happened.

"Someone said, 'Oh my God, they killed my son, oh my God!'" Payano said.

Other neighbors heard the gunshots and ran for safety.

"We heard 15 gunshots, and everybody had to get down and run and I mean, look for cover, because we didn't know where the shots were coming from," said one man who did not want to be identified.

The man said the shooting happened outside the home.

For some, the sadness turned to anger and pain, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported.

"I don't know what I would do if that was my baby, very sad," one neighbor said.

"That's my best friend and he will always be my best friend, know that," another said.

The shooting happened just as an elementary school was letting out down the street. Students were seen screaming and running.

Less than a mile away on Burnside Street, fire crews extinguished a burning sedan that may have been involved in the shooting.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office was working on a motive late Thursday. Meanwhile, residents told 1010 WINS' Samantha Liebman there is a lot of gang violence in the area.

"Not like today, probably like two gun shots that's it once in a while, but 15 for 10 minutes, 5 minutes straight – it's crazy," one man said.

"This is a very dangerous area," another said. "If you come here at night, you've got to watch out."

"It's crazy," added Jensy Marcelin of Orange. "The violence doesn't have to go that far to kill a little kid."

Residents told CBS2 the victims are related. No descriptions of any suspect or suspects have been issued.

Anyone with information on the shooting was asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at (877) TIPS-4EC, or (877) 847-7432.