Community members in a Newark neighborhood are mourning the killing of a beloved street performer known as “Uggie.”
Reports indicate that 44-year-old “Uggie” (whose real name is Eric Bowens) was shot on Bergen Street Monday night. He was taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police are looking for his killer as no arrests have been made. Authorities are asking anyone with information to come forward.
Born with a developmental disability, Bowens was best known for dancing and singing at community events. Videos of him were widely shared on social media, with several on YouTube. News of his death initially hit social media with an outpouring of condolences.
“With the tragic killings of a woman, children and now a Newark icon, brother Uggie, as he was known in the streets, we need to understand that neglected poor conditions are creating abnormal levels of violence in the city of Newark, and all over cities in America, for nearly 50 years,” Newark community activist Bashir Akinyele said in a statement.
