Wanted 3rd Suspect In Somerville Shooting Turns Himself In

SOMERVILLE, NJ — The third suspect wanted in connection with the shooting in Somerville on Oct. 26, that left two wounded, has been arrested, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Alquan J. Harris, 20, of South Gaston Avenue, Somerville was identified on Nov. 2 as the third suspect linked to the shooting and had remained at large until he turned himself in the following day at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

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

Harris joins Azikwa D. Rustin, 30, of Mechanic Street, Somerville, who was the first suspect identified and is in police custody.

Joseph N. Wright, 35, of Schindler Terrace, of Bridgewater was identified as the second suspect on Oct. 30 and is also still at large.

The search for Wright is continuing and detectives are urging him to surrender to law enforcement authorities. Detectives are also urging the public to report and not approach Wright who is considered to be armed and dangerous.

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.

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 who
shot at him while he was seated inside his motor vehicle, according to the investigation.

During this event Rustin was shot in the buttocks by his accomplice, Wright. The continuing 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.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting incident or Wright’s whereabouts 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 smart phone at 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.

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 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)

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