Authorities: Off-Duty Newark Cop Shot Suspect During Attempted Carjacking
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities say an off-duty Newark police officer shot and wounded a man who tried to carjack him.
Essex County prosecutors say 19-year-old Marcus Brent of Newark was arrested early Saturday, shortly after he went to a hospital seeking treatment. But further details on his injuries were not disclosed.
Murray said the officer was at a Newark gas station, putting air in a tire on his personal vehicle, when Brent allegedly jumped into the driver's seat around 3:40 a.m. Saturday.
The officer, identified only as a 23-year veteran of the force, tried to stop the suspect. But when Brent appeared to be reaching for a weapon, the officer fired one shot from his service weapon.
Brent then allegedly fled in the officer's vehicle. The officer was not injured.
Brent remained hospitalized in stable condition and was under police guard Saturday night. He's charged with carjacking, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons offenses. It was not known if he has retained an attorney.
The shooting is under investigation by the prosecutor's office, which is standard policy in police-involved shootings. Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible, but they declined to provide further details.
Authorities declined to release the officer's name, citing undisclosed ``security reasons.''
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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