Fundraisers Launched For 2 Cousins Shot To Death In Bergen County

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — More than $3,000 has been raised in separate fundraiser for cousins who were shot to death in Bergen County on Thursday night.

Brian Dominick Lockett, 28, of North Arlington and Ezequiel Aquino, 29, of Newark, were found with gunshot wounds on Sunday night and pronounced dead at the University Hospital in Newark, said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

A fundraiser for Lockett described him as a loving father and son, and says that the other victim, Aquino, was his cousin.

A fundraiser for Aquino said, "Pichi was someone who kept his circle small, but the people lucky enough to know him knew the kind of person he truly was. He had a heart of gold, and his kindness, loyalty, and love for those around him meant more than words can express."

Officials say that police responded around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday to a corner in North Arlington where two small groups of people had been involved in a dispute.

ABC News quoted a family member of the two men as saying the matter involved d0mestic violence at a custody exchange.

Prosecutors clarified on Monday afternoon that the dispute was not related to a nearby bar or any other business in the area, as some news outlets reported.

"It involved an altercation between two small groups of people with no wider threat or ongoing danger to the community," prosecutors said.

"Brian was a wonderful kid with his whole life ahead of him," the fundraiser says. "He was a loving dad, son, nephew, grandson, and brother, always protective of those he cared about. His heart of gold touched everyone he met, and his absence leaves a hole that will never be filled."

Patch reached out to the Prosecutor's Office and the family for more details, and will update this story when more information is available.

The fundraiser is here.