EAST ORANGE - Law enforcement officials, as of deadline, are still looking for a city resident who they say assisted an already arraigned suspect accused of killing a Seton Hall University student and wounding four other house party attendees here Sept. 25.

After announcing the arrest of Nicholas Welch on Sept. 27 in East Orange, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino said, during a Sept. 29 press conference in Newark, that authorities were working with every applicable law enforcement agency in locating and apprehending a man identified as Marcus Bascus. Later that day, Bascus was apprehended and taken into custody without incident at 316 North Empire Court in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania by officers for the United State Marshals Services, Essex County Prosecutor's Office and the East Orange Police.

Laurino said that Bascus, 19, provided the handgun that Welch fired five shots into a South Clinton Street apartment with early Sept. 25.

 

"Bascus lived on a street next to the shooting scene," said Laurino. "It is believed that Bascus gave Welch either a .38 or .357 caliber handgun. While we have not found the weapon, the shell casings found at the scene match either of those calibers."

Laurino, both at the Sept. 29 Newark and Sept. 27 East Orange conferences, said that Welch kicked in a door at the South Clinton residents and shot five people. One of the victims, Seton Hall University student Jessica Ann Moore, died about 3:20 p.m. that day at University Hospital from gunshot wounds. Four other people - including two other SHU students - who were injured from the gunfire were treated and released there.

Welch, 25, is being held on $2 million bail in the Essex County Correctional Facility along Newark's Doremus Avenue since being arrested at his South Clinton Avenue apartment at about 9:05 p.m. Sept. 27. He pleaded not guilty to prosecutors' 11 counts in New Jersey Superior Court-Newark 10 a.m. Sept. 29. Meanwhile, bail for Bascus was set by the Honorable Joseph Cassini, 3rd at the amount of $2 million as well.

"Both men are being charged with murder, four counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and four weapons possession counts," said Laurino. "Welch has been charged with burglary for kicking in the apartment door. We will challenge any motion by Welch's attorney to lower his bail."

A woman who identified herself as an aunt of Moore made a five-minute statement on her family's behalf at 11: a.m. Sept. 29. The aunt, in a quaking voice before Laurino and an audience of 29 mostly media members, spoke of her cousin's best qualities. A funeral for Moore, of Disputanta, Va., has been set for Oct. 2 at Mount Olivet Baptist Church in nearby Petersburg.

"We're not here to talk about the act of evil but the bravery and goodness of Jessica Ann," said Moore's aunt. "She was a sweet angel whom God has given her wings early."

A witness at the scene said that Moore was shot while shielding a classmate and friend. The psychology sophomore was one of an estimated 50 people who went to the off campus party Sept. 24-25.

A second woman, who identified herself as Welch's girlfriend, left the prosecutor's office media conference room in tears. She, between sobs, told several reporters in the third floor elevator lobby that Welch was not one who would shoot in anger.

The Newark Anti-Violence Coalition has meanwhile scheduled a vigil and rally at South Clinton and South Orange Avenue 6 p.m. Oct. 1. Coalition member Donna Jackson, announced the event at the East Orange City Council meeting Sept. 27.

"I live on Smith Street in Newark, near the shooting," said Jackson before Mayor Robert Bowser and the full council. "I love you all but it's a shame that the mayor would talk about a child who was going to Seton Hall being shot when there's a lot of media present when there were 10 of our own children were shot in this city this year. We have to stand up for all of our children."

Bowser, who was ostensibly present to introduce East Orange's 2010-2011 municipal budget, paused before a chamber gallery audience of 50 that included reporters from Local Talk and two other local newspapers.

"I've been presenting budgets for 13 years," said Bowser at 7:18 p.m. before calling for a moment of silence in Moore's honor. "While it never gets any easier, all it takes is one fool to make it harder."

Bowser, at the 10:25 p.m. press conference at the East Orange Police Headquarters Conference Room, thanked Laurino and the State Police plus police from Newark and South Orange for their efficient work in apprehending Welch. East Orange Police Director Jose Cordero and Police Chief Ronald Borgo and several council members plus South Orange Police Chief James Chelel were among those flanking Laurino and Bowser.

Laurino said that Welch and Bascus had previous narcotics-related arrests. Both, said the acting prosecutor, were denied access to the party late Sept. 24. Welch later returned with a gun.

"Welch kicked down the door, had an altercation with several people, and emptied his gun before leaving," said Laurino. "He left some of his own blood at the scene, which allowed a DNA match. That and eyewitness accounts led us to his home Monday."

Laurino said that South Clinton Street between South Orange Avenue and Norwood Place was locked down for 72 hours. Buses on NJTransit's No. 94 bus route were diverted one block east. Laurino added that Welch lived at 531 So. Clinton St. "10 to 12 doors away from the scene."

While the lock down kept Welch at home until his arrest, Bascus was not at his residence when police arrived Monday with an arrest warrant. Authorities searched Bascus' apartment for clues and evidence.

South Clinton's southernmost block meanwhile tried to return to a normal routine early Sept. 29. Traffic moved normally although EOPD's Mobile Command Unit was still parked before So. Clinton. A couple of hand bills asking for public help remained on a windshield or the sidewalk.

At the Seton Hall campus a mile west, a tribute wall was set up and a vigil held Sept. 26. WSOU aired safety and counseling programming that night.

A bus is to leave for Petersburg 11 a.m. Oct. 2. Moore's family has requested attendees to wear SHU silver and blue.