Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Philip Belton, 39, of East Orange has been charged with four weapons offenses arising from the police involved shooting in Newark on Wednesday.
According to authorities, Belton was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a weapon -- a handgun, a rifle and a shotgun. He was also charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a weapon.
Police say on Wednesday, Sept. 26, Belton and Paul Braswell, 29, of Newark were involved in an incident that resulted in a police-involved shooting.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 3:39 pm a multi-agency task force was investigating gun offenses. Belton and Braswell were the focus of that investigation according to police.
Members of the task force attempted to make a traffic stop to arrest the two. While attempting to arrest them one or more officers fired their service weapons.
Police say, Belton, -who was shot- attempted to flee the car. He was immediately taken into custody and remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Police say Braswell died from his injuries.
The charges against Belton are accusations.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or our found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.