A beloved East Orange high school teacher was gunned down in an early morning shooting Friday.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office says that Kofi Owens, 45, was shot and killed while sitting inside a car on South 16th Street around 1 a.m. A 25-year-old man who was also sitting in the car was also shot, but is listed in stable condition.

Owens was a well-liked educator who taught in the East Orange School District since 2006. He was most recently the technology coordinator at the STEM Academy in the city.

East Orange School Superintendent Kevin West said in a statement, “Mr. Kofi Owens was a dedicated employee working within the East Orange school district for over 10 years. He was well respected by his colleagues and his students. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

East Orange Mayor Ted Green also offered his condolences.

“This type of violence will not be tolerated in our city, and we are working aggressively with all law enforcement agencies to ensure that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice using every means necessary,” Green said.

Authorities have not released many details about the shooting. They say that no arrests have been made. It wasn’t immediately known if Owens was targeted or caught in crossfire.

Anyone who may have any information about the shooting is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.