Wounded Eatontown Man Acquitted In Police Shootout: Report

EATONTOWN, NJ — A Monmouth County jury acquitted an Eatontown man who was wounded by police during an alleged shootout in 2016, the Asbury Park Press reported.

The jury acquitted Aaron T. Riley of attempting to murder a police officer, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm at an officer, armed robbery, unlawful handgun possession and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, according to the Asbury Park Press.

The state dismissed additional charges of resisting arrest and aggravated assault with a firearm, the Asbury Park Press reports.

The incident began at 6:43 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2016 when Eatontown police received a 911 call about an armed robbery in progress at the Alltown Pharmacy on Wyckoff Road. When they arrived, they spotted two men leaving the pharmacy.

Officials said Riley shot once at the officers who ran after him. An Eatontown officer, Kevin Licknack, fired six shots at Riley's vehicle as he fled the scene, authorities said.

The state Attorney General's Office said in 2017 that the officer's use of deadly force was "clearly necessary," agreeing with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office not to present the incident to a grant jury. Read more: Eatontown Cop Justified In Shooting Armed Robbery Suspect, Attorney General's Office Says

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