Investigators from The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are in the preliminary stages of an investigation into whether a man was possibly struck by a Newark Police car during a shots fired response in Newark’s Central Ward overnight.
Police responded to reports of shots fired that occurred near the Exxon gas station located at 1 Elizabeth Avenue at approximately 9:35 p.m.
Upon officers’ arrival, they found two males laying on the ground suffering injuries at that location.
According to police, the first victim found by officers suffered apparent gunshot wounds and was rushed to University Hospital where authorities said he remains in serious but stable condition.
Police say the remaining injured male is believed to be in his 60’s and suffered injuries consistent with being struck by a car.
County authorities are looking into if one of the police cars crashed into this victim during their arrival to the scene.
Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Thomas Fennelly released a brief statement stating the following, “I can confirm that the Essex County Prosecutor's Office is investigating an incident involving a Newark Police vehicle possibly striking a pedestrian overnight. The investigation into the incident is in it's early stages and no further information is available at this time”.
The identity of either victims have not been released.
There were no arrests made.