By: Richard L. Smith
The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation after Newark police officers discharged their weapons during a late-night incident in the city's South Ward on Thursday.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire around 10:10 p.m. near 656 Hunterdon Street, close to West Bigelow Street.
According to preliminary information from the scene, an encounter escalated, leading officers to open fire.
Upon arrival, additional citywide units assisted in securing the area. Police found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her arm and a man struck in the shoulder. 
Both are believed to have been injured by police gunfire during the incident.
They were transported to University Hospital and are expected to survive.
No officers were injured in the shooting. Investigators established two separate crime scenes in the South Ward to preserve evidence and determine the sequence of events that led to the gunfire.
The circumstances surrounding the altercation remain under active and ongoing investigation. Authorities have not yet released further details.