Crime & Safety
Probe Continues After 2 Cops Fire Shots In Newark: Prosecutor
A pair of plainclothes police in Newark fired their weapons at a car with fleeing suspects inside, prosecutors said.
NEWARK, NJ — A police probe continues after a pair of law enforcement officers fired their weapons at a car with fleeing suspects inside earlier this week in Newark, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
According to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice was immediately notified of the incident and directed the office of the Hudson County prosecutor to conduct a use-of-force investigation due to “multiple conflicts with the officers who discharged their weapons.”
- See related article: Police Shooting In Newark, But No Injuries: Officials
The shooting took place at 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday, when two plainclothes law enforcement officers were operating an unmarked vehicle while on-duty in the area of South Orange Avenue and Bergen Street in Newark, prosecutors said.
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As the officers continued on South Orange Avenue, they interacted with the occupants of a Honda CRV, which was traveling nearby. While on Bergen Street, one of the occupants of the Honda allegedly brandished a weapon at the officers, prosecutors said.
Both officers then discharged their service weapons, striking the vehicle. The occupants fled the scene and have not been apprehended, prosecutors said Wednesday.
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“At this time, it is believed that no one was struck by the gunfire, but the investigation is ongoing,” the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office stated.
Police eventually located the Honda on located on 17th Avenue in Newark. It was reported stolen in Newark on May 3, prosecutors said.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team is in the early stages of the investigation. Anyone with information can contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or to leave an anonymous tip on the Hudson County Prosecutor’s official website at: http://www.hudsoncountyprosecutorsofficenj.org/homicide-tip/
The officers involved in the shooting – a Newark police detective and a New Jersey state trooper – were transported to University Hospital for evaluation after the incident, prosecutors said.
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