Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau is investigating a police involved shooting that resulted in the death of Allen Travers, 37, of East Orange.
The preliminary investigation indicates that yesterday, at approximately 9:40 p.m., Travers was involved in a domestic dispute. After the incident, he left his East Orange home and boarded a public bus armed with a weapon. East Orange Police Officers followed him but as they approached he pointed the gun at them.
The officers then followed the bus. Travers pointed the weapon at the female bus driver’s head and ordered her to drive through red lights. Eventually, Travers ordered the driver to stop in the area of Central Avenue and South 10th Street in Newark.
He exited the bus, pointing the gun at East Orange Police Officers.
Police officers discharged their weapons. Travers was struck. He was transported to University Hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 11:16 p.m.
Attorney General guidelines require all county Prosecutor's Offices to respond to incidents when a law enforcement officer discharges a weapon.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.