1 fatally shot, 1 injured by police officer in Newark, New Jersey, officials say
A police officer in Newark, New Jersey, fatally shot one man and injured another Monday afternoon, officials say.
The shooting happened just after 1 p.m. near Ross Street and Evergreen Avenue.
Newark police officer shoots 2 civilians
According to the state Attorney General's office, officers with the Newark Police Department encountered several civilians in the area. It is unclear what the civilians were doing or what led up to the shooting, but the AG's office said one officer fired his weapon, striking two men.
Both were taken to University Hospital, where one was pronounced dead. The other man is being treated for their injuries.
The officer who fired his weapon was taken to a local hospital for evaluation and released. No other officers were injured.
Officials are not yet releasing the identities of anyone involved in the shooting.
Mayor Ras J. Baraka said in a statement:
"This afternoon, a Newark police officer fatally shot a person and injured another.
"Our city takes such a grave incident extremely seriously and we are following strict guidelines set out by the Attorney General's office and the conditions of our consent decree. It is a heartbreaking tragedy for everyone involved when a police officer feels the need to draw weapon—and so much more so when they are compelled to fire.
"The matter is now under the investigation of the Attorney General's office, and I ask our residents to pray with us for all those affected, and to show patience until the investigation is completed."
Newark Public Safety Director Emanuel Miranda Sr. released a statement saying, in part, "As Newark Public Safety Director, I am acutely aware that any loss of life is incredibly challenging. However, a fatal shooting involving a civilian and a member of law enforcement is especially difficult and complex due to the impact it has on our community."
"The community is going to pop out"
Police had a large area taped off Monday afternoon.
Witnesses said the man who was killed was a father in his 30s. They described seeing a plainclothes officer approaching a vehicle.
"I just heard a bunch of shots go off. I looked at a friend of mine. She stood up. I yelled at her to get down," witness Sean Persing said.
"He just tried to take off, and they shot at the car and they shot him," another witness said.
A Newark resident described the man who was killed as "an amazing person."
"Everybody look at the community," the resident said. "The community is going to pop out."
"I'm really outraged, to be honest. You might can't tell, but I'm really upset," neighbor Lageria Josey said. "They should have other protocols and other tactics, not shoot to kill someone."
The shooting happened next to a local liquor store. One regular customer told CBS News New York she usually feels safe there during the day, but this incident has changed her mind.
"I don't feel safe, and I'm not going to that store," she said.
The AG's office is investigating.
