Bridgewater Man Arrested In Somerville Shooting

SOMERVILLE, NJ — The final suspect from Bridgewater, who was wanted in connection with the shooting in Somerville on Oct. 26 that left two wounded including one shot in the butt, has been arrested.

Joseph N. Wright, 25, of Schindler Terrace, in Bridgewater Township turned himself into the Franklin Township Police Department on Friday at around 8:30 a.m., Somerset County Prosecutor Michael Robertson announced Monday.

Wright was the second suspect identified in the shooting, who had been wanted for 23 days. He reportedly shot his accomplice in the butt during the incident.

Wright joins Azikwa D. Rustin, 30, of Mechanic Street, Somerville, who was the first suspect identified and is in police custody. And Alquan J. Harris, 20, of South Gaston Avenue, Somerville was was identified as the third suspect and turned himself in on Nov. 3.

The shooting occurred on Oct. 26 at around 4:15 p.m., when Somerville Police responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Third Street and Center Street.

A driver from Easton, Pennsylvania was in the area when he was approached by Rustin and Wright. The two
shot at him while he was seated inside his motor vehicle, according to the investigation. At that time, Rustin was shot in the buttocks by his accomplice, Wright. A police investigation revealed that Harris was also present during the shooting, and participated in events related to the shooting.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting but believe the victim may have been mistaken for another person.

Wright was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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

Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident to 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 to your smartphone at Google Play or the Apple Store and enter the access code SOMERSETNJ.

• See Related: Wanted 3rd Suspect In Somerville Shooting Turns Himself In
• See Related: Bridgewater Man ID'd As Second Suspect In Somerville Shooting
• See Related: Somerville Man Shot In Butt By Accomplice Who Is Still At Large

(Image via Somerset County Prosecutor's Office: Joseph N. Wright, 25, of Schindler Terrace, in Bridgewater Township)

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