By: Jeff Sommes
Scotch Plains law enforcement officials are investigating the motive for a shooting that injured a male on Sunday.
Reports of shots fired sent officers to a building in the 1700 block of East Second Street Sunday morning, according to Scotch Plains police.
Authorities said Sgt. Jason Everitt, Off. Damian Serafin, and Officer Vincent Conti arrived first at the scene and located a male, later identified as Bilal L. Williams, 41, walking in the driveway near the street.
Police said Williams, waiting for the officers to arrive with his hands in the air, was taken into custody without incident.
Police officials said they found a 9MM SigSauer handgun in his possession.
Additional officers entered the second-floor apartment and located a 50-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds to his chest, left arm, and right leg.
According to officials, officers provided aid, and Union County EMS and Paramedics arrived and transported the victim to University Hospital in Newark.
Police said Williams and the victim were related and lived together.
Police said a search of the residence had cops remove heroin and other drug paraphernalia, according to the press release.
Police charged Williams with the following:
- Attempted Murder, 1st degree,
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, 2nd degree,
- Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, 2nd degree,
- Aggravated Assault, 3rd degree,
- Certain Persons Prohibited from Possessing Weapons (gun), 2nd degree,
- Possession of Hollow Point Bullets 4th degree,
- Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (knife), 3rd-degree,
- Certain Persons Prohibited from Possessing Weapons (Knife), 2nd degree,
- Distribution/Manufacturing/Possession with Intent to Distribute Narcotics, 1st degree,
- Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, 3rd degree,
- Distribution of Narcotics within 1,000 feet of a School Zone, 3rd degree
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Disorderly Person’s offense.
The suspect complained of stomach pain and was transported to a local hospital for observation, according to Scotch Plains police chief Ted Conley.
The investigation is active and ongoing.