Two police officers were shot and wounded by a gunman firing from the rooftop of a building in the South Ward in Newark. At a press conference Tuesday evening, law enforcement officials from Newark confirmed one officer was shot in the leg, the other in the neck. Both are in stable condition at University Hospital in Newark.
Helicopter video from local ABC7 shows the scene Tuesday afternoon at Van Velsor Place and Chancellor Avenue, with police in tactical gear searching a multi-story apartment complex. The neighborhood, including local schools, was put on lockdown around 2 p.m. and residents were told to stay inside their homes. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, FBI and New Jersey State Police are all responding to the incident.
Gov. Phil Murphy Tuesday afternoon tweeted, “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 scene in Newark remains active with law enforcement and police saying the suspect is still at large.
