Newark Mayor, Top Cop Comment On Fatal MLK Day Police Shooting

NEWARK, NJ — Newark’s mayor and public safety director have issued statements in the wake of a fatal police shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The shooting took place Monday in Newark, according to the New Jersey attorney general’s office.

Prosecutors said that Newark police officers encountered several “civilians” near Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue around 1 p.m. During the encounter, one of the officers fired his weapon, striking two people.

No police officers were wounded, authorities said.

The wounded civilians were taken to University Hospital. One was pronounced deceased a short time after arriving. The other is currently being treated at the hospital.

A police officer was taken to the hospital for evaluation and released, authorities said.

No additional information was available for release, including the identities of the civilians or officers, authorities said.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. each released a statement after the shooting, with Miranda identifying the wounded adults as “suspects.”

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office is conducting an impartial and independent investigation, which should be completed in about 20 days, Baraka and Miranda stated.

Here’s what else they said:

RAS BARAKA – “This afternoon, a Newark police officer fatally shot a person and injured another. Our city takes such a grave incident extremely seriously and we are following strict guidelines set out by the Attorney General‘s office and the conditions of our consent decree. It is a heartbreaking tragedy for everyone involved when a police officer feels the need to draw weapon—and so much more so when they are compelled to fire. The matter is now under the investigation of the Attorney General’s office, and I ask our residents to pray with us for all those affected, and to show patience until the investigation is completed.”

EMANUEL MIRANDA – “Today’s police-involved shooting in Newark resulted in the death of one adult male suspect and the non-fatal shooting injury of a second adult male suspect. As Newark Public Safety Director, I am acutely aware that any loss of life is incredibly challenging. However, a fatal shooting involving a civilian and a member of law enforcement is especially difficult and complex due to the impact it has on our community. To address these concerns, I am confident that the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) will conduct a thorough investigation in accordance with our state’s laws. The Newark Police Division welcomes this independent investigation and will respectfully accept the results of the OPIA’s findings. As always, our thoughts and heartfelt prayers are extended to all involved.”

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