2 Arrested In Connection With Fatal Newburgh Shooting
Two men were arrested Monday in connection with a shooting in Newburgh that killed two women and injured five others.
About 15 shots were fired at 119 Broadway in the City of Newburgh during a Halloween party Sunday around 12:45 a.m.
City of Newburgh Police identified the two women who were killed as 18-year-old Omani Free and 20-year-old Tabitha Cruz, both from Newburgh.
All five of the injured victims are expected to recover, police say. Their names are not being released.
On Monday, City of Newburgh police arrested two men who allegedly helped the shooter immediately after the incident.
Rainer Hamilton, 21, of Newburgh was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies.
Tyson Oliveria, 20, from Newburgh was also charged with tampering with physical evidence, a felony.
Authorities identified the murder weapon as a handgun. Both are not accused of pulling the trigger, police say
"This is Newburgh where everyone has a gun," Miguel Cruz, Tabitha’s father, told PIX11. "They don't believe in solving anything any other way. Newburgh's where dreams die and my dream just died."
Free was a senior at Newburgh Free Academy. She had dreams of going to college to become a designer.
"It had nothing to do with her," Rhonda Valentine-Free, Omani’s mother, tearfully told PIX11. "Someone decided to pull out a gun. Omani just happened to be the first victim."
The investigation into the shooting continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact City of Newburgh Police at (845) 561-3131 or their anonymous tip line (845) 569-7555.
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