NJ Man Who Shot 2 Newark Cops Sentenced To Prison

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting two Newark police officers, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Kendall Howard, 33, of East Orange, pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder and weapons charges in March.

The gunfire took place in November 2022, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, which released the following details about the shooting:

“At approximately 2 p.m., [two] Newark police officers were dispatched to a parking lot behind 25 Van Velsor Place to assist in locating a suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in October. The officers encountered Howard, who was carrying a bag they believed contained the firearm used in the prior shooting. When officers ordered Howard to drop the bag, Howard opened fire, striking [one officer] in his upper right neck and shoulder area, before exchanging gunfire with [the second officer], who was shot multiple times in the leg during the exchange of gunfire.”

Howard fled the scene. He was arrested in East Orange the next day, prosecutors said.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com