Bergen County Prosecutor Launches Double Homicide Investigation in North Arlington Shooting

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

North Arlington NJ, Authorities in Bergen County are investigating a fatal shooting that took place Sunday night near the border of North Arlington and Kearny, leaving two young men dead.

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella released preliminary details regarding the ongoing double homicide investigation following the incident on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

---

Incident Details: What Happened on Ridge Road?

At approximately 8:37 p.m., the North Arlington Police Department responded to multiple reports of gunshots near the intersection of Ridge Road and Belleville Turnpike (where Ridge Road transitions into Kearny Avenue at the municipal border).

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene to render aid and secure the area, including:

• North Arlington Police Department

• Bergen County Sheriff’s Office

• Kearny Police Department

• Lyndhurst Police Department

• Bergen County Rapid Deployment Team

---

Victims Identified

First responders located two adult male victims suffering from gunshot wounds at the scene. Both men were rushed by separate ambulances to University Hospital in Newark, NJ, where they were later pronounced deceased:

• Brian Dominick Lockett, 28, of North Arlington, NJ

• Ezequiel Aquino, 29, of Newark, NJ

---

Investigation Findings: Isolated Incident with No Public Threat

Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and Special Investigations Squad immediately launched a joint investigation with the North Arlington Police Department.

According to preliminary investigative findings:

• The shooting occurred near the intersection and was not connected to any nearby commercial businesses.

• Law enforcement has confirmed the shooting was an isolated incident stemming from an altercation between two small groups.

• Authorities emphasize that there is no ongoing danger or threat to the general public.

The joint investigation remains active under the leadership of Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Jeff Angermeyer and North Arlington Police Chief Michael Horton.

---

Key Takeaways

• Location: Ridge Road and Belleville Turnpike (North Arlington / Kearny border).

• Date & Time: Sunday, July 19, 2026, at ~8:37 p.m.

• Status: Active double homicide investigation; isolated altercation with no public threat.

Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: [email protected]

• Content Tags: #NorthArlington #BergenCounty #NJNews #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #LocalNews #CrimeUpdate