A Newark NJ man was arrested after he allegedly fired gunshots at Newark police.
Members of the Newark Firearms Interdiction Unit were on patrol near 18th Avenue and 18th Street in Newark when they encountered a group of males. An officer reportedly saw a handgun sticking out of one of the men’s waistbands.
When the officers got out of their vehicle and approached the men, the suspect allegedly fled the scene. The officers then chased him through local backyards.
At some point during the chase, the suspect allegedly fired a gunshot at the officers.
The 24-year-old suspect was eventually apprehended when additional police units arrived to help search for him; they reportedly found him hiding behind a fence.
Police allegedly discovered a stolen 9-mm handgun on the suspect’s person.
After being taken into custody, the suspect was charged with several weapons offenses, as well as aggravated assault, resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, and receiving stolen property.
Aggravated assault in New Jersey is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b. When the assault involves the use of a deadly weapon, the offender can be charged with second degree aggravated assault. This means that the suspect in this case faces a sentence of 5–10 years in NJ State Prison if he is convicted of the aggravated assault charge.
With the investigation still going on, the suspect could face additional charges.
To learn more, access the NJ.com article entitled “Newark Police Arrest Two, Seize Four Guns Friday.”
