Essex County authorities are looking into the circumstances behind a police-involved shooting that occurred in a Newark neighborhood on Monday.
According to a preliminary investigation, Newark Police responded to the vicinity of 479 Roseville Avenue to investigate reports of shots fired before 1:30 a.m.
Upon arrival, investigators learned that an off-duty police officer from nearby Orange, fired his weapon, but officials have not concluded or released details on the officer's motive.
According to reports, suspects occupying a vehicle and armed with paint guns began firing at the officers at that location. When the officer believed he was under attack by suspects with 'real guns,' he returned fire.
Police said they are on the search for several men who injured a sanitation collection technician in the Ironbound section and two other victims after they fired randomly fired the paint guns in their directions.
A crime scene unit arrived at the scene and confirmed ballistic evidence that belonged to the service weapon, but there were no injuries reported after police checked the area.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.