Newsman: Two police officers were shot at a close range Tuesday night in Newark. One officer was shot in the leg and one suffered a graze wound to the neck, with the bullet going into his shoulder. The officers were taken to University Hospital. They are in stable condition.
Police say a concerned citizen called 911 after she recognized a suspect, identified by police as 30-year-old East Orange resident Kendall Howard, in her building who’s wanted for a shooting that took place on October 28. Officers responded to the scene at 25 Van Velsor Place and didn’t find the suspect at first. While leaving the building they encountered the suspect and gunfire was exchanged Police say. The suspect then retreated back into the building.
The neighborhood in Newark remains on lockdown after the suspect retreated into a building and then escaped.
Police and SWAT evacuated the building and went from apartment to apartment, searching for the suspect. They have since determined that the suspect is no longer in the building and are actively searching for him.
“There are many entrances and exit points of that building,” Director of Public Safety Fritz Frage said. “It’s an open air area, there are fire escapes. At some point time you must have exited the building.”
Reports of the incident started to come in around 2 p.m. Tuesday near Van Velsor Place and Chancellor Avenue.
Law enforcement sources believe that the suspect wanted in connection to that incident, where a gunman fired a shot into the air while walking down Hansbury Avenue, is the man police were looking for prior to Tuesday’s shooting.
Howard has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.
While little information was initially made available, Gov. Phil Murphy tweeted that he was monitoring the situation:
“I am aware of and closely monitoring an unfolding situation in Newark. I am in touch with local authorities and the State is providing resources as requested. We will continue to support local law enforcement and ensure that all residents are safe.”
The New Jersey state PBA also released a statement asking for prayers for the officers involved.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured officers and all the officers handling the Newark attack. This level of violence must be stopped and condemned by everyone,” said NJSPBA President Patrick Colligan
