Newark law enforcement is investigating the fatal stabbing death of a man at a local apartment building.

The incident happened during the early morning hours at apartment in Newark, New Jersey. The Newark Police Department got a call about a disturbance at an apartment on Somme Street shortly after 1:00 am.

When police officers arrived at the apartment complex, they discovered the 64-year-old victim unresponsive after having sustained a deep stab wound. Unfortunately, medical responders were unable to save the victim; he was pronounced dead around 1:30 a.m.

Medical examiners will be conducting an autopsy to determine the precise cause of the victim’s death.

Meanwhile, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Task Force is actively investigating the death as a possible homicide. Investigators have yet to release any further information about the incident.

If the investigation does eventually conclude that the death was a homicide, any suspect in the case would likely face serious criminal charges for murder.

Beyond that, the suspect would be subject to significant penalties if convicted on a murder charge. Murder is the most serious crime in the New Jersey Criminal Code. N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3 classifies murder as a first degree felony. Although first degree crimes are ordinarily punishable by 10-20 years in NJ State Prison, a murder conviction could lead to life imprisonment.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has asked for the public’s help in the case. Anyone who has information about the stabbing death should contact task force investigators at 877-847-7432 or 973-621-4586.

For additional information about this case, go to NJ.com article entitled “Newark Man Stabbed to Death, Prosecutors Say.”