Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor, and Somerville Borough Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced the arrest of Mr. Alquan J. Harris, 20, of Somerville.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on October 26th, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Somerville Police responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Third Street and Center Street.
Authorities said the investigation revealed that a motorist from Easton, Pennsylvania was in the area when Azikwa D. Rustin allegedly approached him then Joseph N. Wright shot at him while he was seated inside his motor vehicle.
During this event, police said Rustin was shot in the buttocks by his accomplice, defendant Wright. The continuing investigation revealed that Alquan J. Harris was also present during the shooting, and participated in events related to the shooting.
While investigators are attempting to determine a motive for the shooting, preliminary results are that the victim may have been mistaken for another individual.
Harris responded to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office on November 3rd at approximately 10 a.m. and turned himself into detectives.
Authorities charged Harris with first degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm, and second-degree unlawful possession of a gun.
The search for Wright is continuing, and detectives are urging him to surrender to law enforcement authorities.
Detectives are also urging the public to report and not approach the defendant who is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Authorities have charged Wright with first degree attempted murder, second-degree possession of a firearm, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and certain second-degree persons not to possess a firearm.
The charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Chief Manning request that anyone with information regarding this shooting incident or defendant Wright’s whereabouts to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100.
Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is likewise offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the whereabouts and arrest of defendant Wright.
Tipsters wanting to remain anonymous and collect the reward monies must call the Somerset County Crime Stopper’s Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or submit information at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.