Prosecutor: Manhunt underway after man kills girlfriend in Montclair

Essex County authorities are searching for a Montclair man accused of killing his girlfriend inside their home.
The county prosecutor says that 55-year-old James R. Ray, III is accused of killing 44-year-old Angela Bledsoe inside their home on the 300 block of North Mountain Avenue in Montclair.
Officials say that the Montclair Police Department received a call around 11:45 p.m. Monday from a concerned relative, who asked for police to perform a wellness check. When officers arrived, they found Bledsoe suffering from gunshot wounds, according to officials. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The prosecutor says that Ray and Bledsoe had a young child together. That child is now in the care of relatives.
Neighbors say that the couple was extremely private and that they only saw them in passing.
“You hear about these things happening across the country in quiet neighborhoods, but you never would believe that something like this would happen right next door to you,” says neighbor Dave Kaplan.
Ray remains at-large. He is believed to be armed and dangerous. Police say that they believe he is driving a black BMW 328i, with license plate ZNX68M.
Anyone who may have any information about the incident is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.
This is the second killing to happen in Montclair this year.
Akirah Townes, 20, was found fatally stabbed, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend Ahighah Broomes, in April. Townes was about to go away with friends, when Broomes allegedly confronted and attacked her.