Bridgewater Man ID'd As Second Suspect In Somerville Shooting

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A Bridgewater man has been identified as the second suspect wanted in last Thursday's Somerville shooting.

Joseph N. Wright, 35, of Schindler Terrace is still at large, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

• See Related: Somerville Man Shot In Butt By Accomplice Who Is Still At Large

Azikwa D. Rustin, 30, of Mechanic Street, Somerville was the first suspect identified and arrested in the shooting after Wright allegedly shot him in the butt during the incident.

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, Roberston 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.

Rustin was 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 was charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and a second-degree certain persons offense.

While investigators are attempting to determine a motive for the shooting, preliminary results are that the victim may have been mistaken for another individual.

Wright is still at large and detectives are working to locate him.

Detectives are urging the public to report and not to approach Wright who is considered to be armed and dangerous. Detectives are urging defendant Wright to turn himself in to law enforcement authorities, Robertson said.

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 to your smartphone at Google Play or the Apple Store and enter the access code “SOMERSETNJ.”

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

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: Joseph N. Wright, 35, of Schindler Terrace, Bridgewater)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.