Newark Police Release IDs Of 2 Teens Fatally Shot By Officers

NEWARK, NJ — Authorities have released the identities of two Newark teens who died after being shot by city police officers last week.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, Newark police officers fatally shot Najier Salaam, 18, and George Richards-Meyers, 18, both of Newark, during an encounter on Friday.

A preliminary investigation indicates the incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the 500 block of North 7th Street, prosecutors said. None of the officers suffered an injury and a third suspect was also taken into custody.

Authorities said that six officers involved in the shooting will be "assigned to administrative duties" pending the outcome of an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office.

• See related article: 2 Dead After Police Shooting In Newark, NJ

During a Friday afternoon press conference, Mayor Ras Baraka said that police arrested a 17-year-old Newark resident after he allegedly got out of a vehicle and ran from police.

The officers were responding to a phone report of “criminal activity” in the area, and the two men and teen allegedly matched the caller’s description, Baraka said.

Police later found a gun on the teen, Baraka said, but it’s unknown if any of the suspects fired at officers.