NEWARK -- Two years after she was shot, the Essex County Sheriff's office is offering $10,000 for information regarding the death of Lateshia Townes.
The sheriff's office offered a reward in July 2014, but no arrests were made, so the office decided to offer the reward again.
"We offer a reward if we think it might be helpful," said Katherine Carter, who works as a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's office. "Hopefully it'll generate interest."
She said the sheriff's office usually offers a reward if there hasn't been a resolution or strong lead. The homicide task force will typically decide whether the situation warrants offering a monetary reward. The funds come from the sheriff's Crime Stoppers program. Sometimes, Carter said, people come forward with information without even being aware of the potential for reward.
Townes was 31 when she was shot in front of 765 South 20th St. in the passenger seat of a 2006 Silver Dodge Charger. Police had responded to a three-car accident at around 3:30 a.m. when they found Townes, who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The other two cars had been abandoned.
She was taken to University Hospital. Another victim at the scene was grazed by a bullet, but the injury was non-fatal.
Later that year on the third anniversary of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., Townes' daughter and cousin celebrated Townes' life at a vigil at Trinity and St. Philip's Cathedral in Newark. Among nearly 200 shirts with the names of those killed by guns, Townes' name was written on a yellow shirt.
Anyone with information should contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or at 1-877-847-7432.