Friends and family of an East Orange teacher gunned down last week joined with members of the community to hold an anti-violence rally.
Kofi Owens, 45, was shot and killed around 1 a.m. Friday in East Orange while he sat in a car with his 25-year-old son. Owens was killed, but his son Dehjaun survived.
About 60 people gathered at South 16th Street where Owens was shot to speak out against acts of violence in their community.
“It takes a community to grow the next generation. What are we going to do? Just sit here on our hands? No, we need to stand up for my brother and those slain before him,” said Kwame Owens.
Owens was a teacher in the East Orange School District for the last 10 years. He was most recently working as the technology coordinator for the STEM Academy.
So far no arrests have been made. Essex County Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and indictment.
Anyone who may have any information about the shooting is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.