Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau is investigating two separate, unrelated incidents in which off-duty Essex County Corrections Officers discharged their weapons in the city of Newark.
The first incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. in the vicinity of Elmwood Avenue and Broadway. An office-duty corrections officer discharged his weapon during an altercation. There were no injuries to civilians or officers.
The second incident occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. An off-duty corrections officer, who was dressed in uniform and preparing to go to work, encountered a suspect in his personal vehicle as he was leaving his home. He discharged his weapon in the area of Lindsley Avenue and Crown Street.
There were no injuries reported in that incident. The suspect - later identified as Taquan Holland, 20, of Newark - was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.
Those are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Both corrections officers work in the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark.
Under Attorney General Guidelines, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standard Bureau must respond and investigate when a law enforcement officer discharges a weapon on or off-duty.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau at 862-520-3700