New Jersey state trooper shot in leg overnight in Paterson, 1 in custody, more wanted

Jocquise Timmons, 28, was taken into custody in South Carolina and charged with two counts of attempted murder and four counts of aggravated assault, New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said Friday. 

Platkin said Timmons ambushed and fired upon two unmarked state police vehicles while they were moving.

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A New Jersey state trooper is recovering after being shot while on the job.

In a Ring doorbell video, you can hear six gunshots then see a speeding car followed by a number of law enforcement vehicles with flashing lights. Three more gunshots can then be heard.

"It was like trooper, state trooper, state trooper, trooper coming down the street," Paterson resident Alicia Allen said.

A New Jersey state trooper with eight years on the job was on patrol near McLean Boulevard and Ninth Avenue early Thursday morning, sitting in his car, when he was shot. Doctors say he reacted quickly, and it likely saved his life.

"His efforts to apply a tourniquet immediately after he was shot to himself, as well as the troopers that were with him that threw him in the trooper car and got him here with minutes," New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said.

The trooper is now out of surgery and expected to make a full recovery.

Residents say violence is inching its way into the normally quiet neighborhood.

"Really worried. I need more police in the neighborhood. I'm not safe," neighbor Jose Moreta said.

It's a neighborhood that Congressman Bill Pascrell calls home.

"This is where I live. I am not going to have anybody force me out of here," Pascrell said.

There has been an outpouring of support for the trooper from colleagues to the Attorney General and Gov. Phil Murphy.

"We will ensure that all those responsible for this violent and heinous act are caught and brought to justice," Murphy said.

State police say the trooper was working with Paterson Police on crime control. No word on when he'll be cleared to leave the hospital.

A New Jersey state trooper continues to recover after being shot in his patrol car.

The state trooper remains in stable condition at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. He's had a number of visitors, including the Attorney General and his boss, who tells us he's expected to make a full recovery.

"He showed a tremendous amount of strength and resiliency throughout the night, and I trust he'll continue to do that," New Jersey State Police Col. Patrick Callahan said.

"We will ensure that all those responsible for this violent and heinous act are caught and brought to justice," Gov. Phil Murphy said.

"He's surrounded by family, friends and a phenomenal group of women and men from the New Jersey State Police, really his sisters and brothers, that I know are not going to leave his side," Callahan said.

The New Jersey state trooper was shot in the leg while sitting in his car alone in a Paterson neighborhood, according to Callahan.

Within minutes, police descended upon the area near 28th Street and Ninth Avenue.

"We just heard the gunshots, and the next thing we know, cops were flying down the street," resident Alicia Allen said.

"They were right in front of my house. I didn't come outside," one neighbor said.

Doctors say the trooper's quick thinking probably saved his life.

"His efforts to apply a tourniquet immediately after he was shot to himself, as well as the troopers that were with him that threw him in the trooper car and got him here with minutes," Callahan said.

"Anything that law enforcement or civilians can do to help stop the bleeding prior to getting to us helps. When he did get here, there were no vascular injuries," said Dr. Ben Rebein, trauma medical director at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center.

The trooper was on patrol near United States Congressman Bill Pascrell's home.

"Congressman, just doors away from your home. This is terrifying," CBS2's Christine Sloan said.

"It can happen any place," Pascrell said.

One suspect was taken into custody early on as police searched for two more.

The shooting was too close for comfort for the congressman.

"This is where I live. I am not going to have anybody force me out of here," Pascrell said.

The state police say the trooper was working with Paterson Police on crime control, but that's all they are saying.

Residents say they've seen an increase in violence in their neighborhood.

"It's not normal around this street, but other areas of Paterson, it's quite normal," one resident said.

The state trooper's age and name have not been released, but we do know he underwent surgery and his leg will be OK.

Gov. Phil Murphy said, "We will ensure that all those responsible for this violent and heinous act are caught and brought to justice," in a statement on Twitter. 

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin released a statement on Twitter:

Mayor Andre Sayegh said one person is in custody, but more are still wanted.