Third Suspect Wanted In Somerville Shooting

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A third suspect has been identified and linked to the shooting in Somerville last week. Alquan J. Harris, 20, of South Gaston Avenue, Somerville is wanted by police and still at large, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Azikwa D. Rustin, 30, of Mechanic Street, Somerville was the first suspect identified and is in police custody. Joseph N. Wright, 35, of Schindler Terrace, Bridgewater was identified as the second suspect on Monday and is also still at large.

• See Related: Somerville Man Shot In Butt By Accomplice Who Is Still At Large
• See Related: Bridgewater Man ID'd As Second Suspect In Somerville Shooting

On Oct. 26 at around 4:15 p.m. a call reported shots fired in the area of Third Street and Center Street in Somerville. Shortly after the shooting, a man called Franklin Police and said he had been shot while in Somerville.

It was found that the 26-year-old Easton, Pennsylvania victim was driving a motor vehicle in Somerville when he was approached by Rustin and Wright who opened fire on him while he was seated inside his vehicle, according to an investigation by Somerville detectives, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and Franklin Township Police.

During the incident, Rustin was shot in the buttocks by his accomplice Wright, Robertson said. Rustin was transported to an area hospital. Once he is released, he will be transported and lodged in the Somerset County Jail without bail pending a detention hearing.

The continuing investigation found that Harris was also present during the shooting and participated in events, Robertson said.

While investigators are attempting to determine a motive, police believe the victim may have been mistaken for another person.

Police are still searching for Wright and Harris. Detectives are urging the public to report and not to approach the Wright and Harris who are considered to be "armed and dangerous," Robertson said.

Detectives are urging Wright and Harris to turn themselves into law enforcement authorities.

Rustin has been arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and second-degree certain persons prohibited from possessing or controlling a firearm.

Wright has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and a second-degree certain person not to possess a firearm offense.

Harris has been charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Somerville Borough Police Department at 908-725-0331 or via the STOPit app by downloading STOPit from Google Play or the Apple Store and enter the access code SOMERSETNJ.

Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is also offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the whereabouts and arrest of Wright and Harris.

Tipsters wanting to remain anonymous and collect the reward monies must call the Somerset County Crime Stopper’s Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or submit information online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE.”

(Image via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Alquan J. Harris, 20, of South Gaston Avenue, Somerville is wanted by police and still at large.)

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