Shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon
IRVINGTON -- A shooting in the township left one person dead Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement officials confirmed.
The male victim was found on the 300 block of Myrtle Avenue, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas Fennelly, of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office homicide unit. The shooting occurred around 4:30 p.m.
Police closed Myrtle Avenue, near the University Elementary School as detectives investigated the killing.
Investigators appeared to be focused on a truck parked with its door open on the block. Authorities placed a black shield, sometimes used to obstruct the view of a body from bystanders, around an area outside the truck's open door and illuminated the truck with a spot light.
This historically violent town has reduced killings - Here's how
Homicides and shootings in Irvington have declined sharply this year, according to law enforcement records. Township officials recently credited the deployment of new investigative units with driving down killings.
Last year, there were 14 homicides reported in the township. The prosecutor's office was set to release further details later.
Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.