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Police: Newark Father Shot, Killed In Front Of His 3 Young Children

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Newark are searching for a suspect who they said gunned down a man while he was taking his three young children to day care.

It happened around 7:45 a.m. Wednesday on South 9th Street right next to a church and an elementary school.

Police said 37-year-old Hassan Scott was leaving his home to get into his car with his children, ages 2, 4 and 9, to take them to day care when he was shot multiple times.

Sources said the gunman told Scott to bring his children back inside the home, but when he refused, the suspect opened fire, CBS2 reported.

Scott was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said.

A small group gathered to pray outside after the deadly shooting.

"A young woman who was crying hysterically, so we just comforted her the best that we could and we prayed and within a few minutes, police came and took over the situation," said Father Guiseppe Siniscalchi with Friends of the Newark Monastery.

Investigators said Scott's children were not physically hurt.

A motive in the shooting has not yet been determined and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force at 1-877-847-7432 or 1-877-TIPS-4-EC.

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