Andre Higgs, 43, of Watchung, was indicted on Friday on murder and related charges in the May 1 killing of Latrena May, 27, who also was a beloved teacher in East Orange
NEWARK -- A man has been indicted on charges of fatally shooting the mother of his daughter outside her East Orange home in May while the four-year-old girl was inside the residence.
Andre Higgs, 43, of Watchung, was indicted on Friday on murder and related charges in the May 1 killing of Latrena May, 27, who also was a beloved teacher in East Orange.
In addition to murder, Higgs was indicted on weapons charges, possession of heroin, endangering the welfare of a child, hindering his own prosecution and aggravated assault for allegedly pointing a gun at a police officer.
Higgs was released from custody on Aug. 14 after posting $1 million bail.
Higgs is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges on Nov. 30 before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler. Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab is handling the case.
MORE: Suspect released on $1M bail in killing of beloved teacher
The shooting occurred after Higgs and May were arguing on the porch of her home on the 100 block of Tremont Avenue in East Orange, authorities said. Their daughter was inside the home at the time, according to Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.
As May flagged down a police officer patrolling the area, Higgs shot her and the officer then shot Higgs, authorities said. After he was shot, Higgs went into the house with the weapon before he was apprehended, Carter said.
May was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
Higgs was treated at University Hospital in Newark and transferred on May 11 to the Essex County Correctional Facility, where he remained until posting the $1 million bail.
Latrena May Before Higgs was released from the county jail, his attorney, Sebastian Bio, indicated in court that the bail would be posted in large part with a property bond covering about $706,000 in equity from Higgs's Watchung home. The house is worth nearly $1.2 million, Bio said at the time.
The 4,619-square-foot house in Watchung is located on one acre along Valley Road, public records show.
Higgs was previously convicted of aggravated assault and drug and weapons offenses, court records show.
A teacher at Pride Academy Charter School in East Orange, May has been remembered as a dedicated and passionate educator who showed "unconditional kindness" to others.
Fiona Thomas, the school's principal, previously said in a statement that May possessed a "beautiful spirit of unconditional kindness and service to others."
"Miss May was a dedicated and highly respected member of our staff, and her many contributions to our school over the past 6 years have strengthened and enriched all of us," Thomas said.
Bill Wichert may be reached at bwichert@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillWichertNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.