A fugitive wanted for attempted murder was shot by law enforcement Monday following an hours-long standoff that began when the suspect opened fire on U.S. Marshals attempting to serve an arrest warrant, authorities said.
The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. on Irvine Turner Boulevard, where U.S. Marshals, assisted by Newark police, sought to apprehend the suspect in connection with an attempted murder case in nearby Hillside.
Witnesses reported that the man barricaded himself inside a residence with a woman and an infant before exchanging gunfire with officers.
Chaotic Scene as Gunfire Erupts
Neighbors described a rapid escalation as law enforcement surrounded the home.
“It was a wild shootout. They were shooting crazy,” one witness told reporters.
Tommy Easterling, another resident, recounted the sudden intensity of the confrontation. “All of this started pulling up immediately, quick, fast,” he said. “The next thing you hear is pow, pow, pow, pow while they’re firing at the house. Officers were running up and down the street.”
Authorities stated that the fugitive fired first, prompting officers to return fire. After a prolonged standoff, the suspect was shot by police and apprehended shortly after 3 p.m.
“He’s no longer a threat to the public at this time,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said at a press briefing. “By God’s grace, nobody was injured, nobody was hurt, nobody was hit.”
The suspect was transported to a local hospital, though his condition remains undisclosed.
During the standoff, the woman and newborn inside the home were safely removed by law enforcement.
Kenneth Brown, the woman’s stepfather, expressed relief after confirming their safety. “Scary, because we didn’t know if anything happened to her or the baby,” he said. “They said they didn’t get hurt.”
Another witness described the extraction: “He passed the baby out, and they put him in the back of a cop car. They got the baby and the mother out the house.”
Newark police confirmed that the New Jersey State Police will assume control of the investigation, a standard procedure in officer-involved shootings.
Further details, including the identity of the suspect and the circumstances of the initial attempted murder charge, have yet to be released.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.