Somerset County Man Admits Shooting At Plainfield Police, Man

PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Somerset County man admitted to shooting a man while outside on a porch in Plainfield and shooting at police who responded, acting Union County Prosecutor Michael A. Monahan announced Tuesday.

Junus Ellison, 28, of North Plainfield pleaded guilty late last week before state Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Donohue to three counts of first-degree attempted murder, one count of second-degree aggravated assault, and multiple related weapons offenses.

On April 4 shortly before 10 p.m., Ellison fired four shots from a handgun at the 24-year-old male victim, while he stood on the front porch of a home on the 1100 block of West 3rd Street in Plainfield, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor John Esmerado, who is prosecuting the case, and Detective David Nechamkin, who led the investigation.

The victim was hit once in the leg by gunfire and transported to a local hospital for treatment, Esmerado and Nechamkin said.

Three Plainfield Police detectives were driving on the 200 block of Pond Place nearby when they heard the sound of gunshots.

About two minutes after the shooting, in the area of Stanley Place and West 4th Street, the detectives saw Ellison, wearing all black clothing, turn towards them and fire multiple rounds at their vehicle, according to the report.

As detectives got out of the vehicle and took cover while Ellison ran away. One detective chased after him through yards and parking lots for several blocks. During the chase, Ellison was firing at the detective repeatedly and the detective returned fire, but no one was hit, according to Monahan.

Ellison was arrested by other responding officers shortly afterwards.

A handgun with a 27-round magazine was found in one of the yards following the chase, Monahan said.

Ellison will be sentenced on Aug. 3 before state Superior Court Judge Candido Rodriguez, when the State will recommend a sentence of 20 years in state prison, with 85 percent of that period to be served before the possibility of parole under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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