Newark Cops Use ‘Keen Discipline’ In Potentially Deadly Encounter

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police officers showed “keen discipline” during a potentially deadly, nighttime encounter with a shooting suspect on Sunday, their supervisors said.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, officers in the 7th precinct responded to the area of Broadway and Herbert Place at 12:20 a.m. after hearing “shots fired.” On arrival, the officers found a man later identified as Ahmaad Qualls, 18, of Newark, walking in the area with a gun tucked into his waistband.

Qualls took off running in an attempt to escape from police, who chased after him on foot. When officers yelled at Qualls to stop, he allegedly ignored their commands and reached for the gun, tossing it away as he ran, authorities said.

Police apprehended Qualls on Herbert Place near Riverside Avenue. Officers recovered a 9 mm handgun in the area, authorities said.

Newark police supervisors commended the involved officers for not using deadly force during the encounter.

“I’m grateful that no one was shot in this incident and that we recovered another unlawful handgun from our streets,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “Police Chief Henry and I commend these officers for applying their training and exercising keen discipline in resolving this incident without deadly force or injury to the suspect in the face of imminent danger.”

Authorities charged Qualls with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, two counts of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon (large capacity magazine and hollow points), Resisting Arrest and Obstruction of the Administration of the Law.

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