Two police officers wounded in shootout with a gunman firing from a rooftop or window in New Jersey – injured cops in stable condition
- Two police officers were wounded during a shootout in Newark, New Jersey, on Tuesday afternoon
- The shooter was firing with a rifle from a rooftop, and firing directly at police
- The suspect has not yet been brought into custody but is surrounded, police say
- The neighborhood is locked down, law enforcement officials have said
- Both officers were hospitalized in stable condition
- A police source told DailyMail.com that one officer was shot in the neck and the other was shot in his leg
Two police officers were injured in Newark, New Jersey, during a shootout with a gunman who was firing from a rooftop or window of an apartment building, officials said.
The shooter was using a rifle and firing directly at police at around 2pm on Tuesday as they were attempting to question him over potential links to a shooting last Friday, NBC New York reported.
One officer was shot in the neck while another was shot in his leg, probably multiple times, a police source told DailyMail.com. Both officers were taken by nearby University Hospital and were in stable condition.
Tuesday’s shooting reportedly took place near the intersection of Van Velsor Place and Chancellor Avenue in a residential neighborhood in Weequahic, Newark.
The neighborhood was on lockdown as law enforcement officials search for the 30-year-old suspect, who is believed to still be barricades inside the apartment building.
It is not yet known whether the shots were fired from the roof of 103 Chancellor Avenue or from a window.
NBC New York reports that the suspect’s girlfriend may live on the block.
The gunman reportedly opened fired at around 2pm on Tuesday, injuring two officers. A huge law enforcement response ensued involving personnel from various departments
New Jersey Transit Police said on Twitter at around 3.30pm that people should stay clear of the area and that they are rerouting NJT buses to avoid it.
SWAT were on the scene assisting with a search for the suspect. Law enforcement officials have said that the situation is under control and the suspect is no longer a threat to the community.
That source told the local news outlet that the neighborhood was locked down and the suspect is believed to be confined to an apartment building.
A high-ranking law enforcement source said that only two shots were fired from the suspect’s weapon, NBC New York said.
Video footage shows ambulances and police vehicles arriving at the Eric Munoz Trauma Center in University Medical Center in Newark.
The condition of the two officer that were shot is not currently known. Both officers were rushed to University Medical Center in a police car
Law enforcement officials had the building surrounding but had not yet brought the suspect into custody
Residents in the area were being asked to avoid the area around Chancellor Ave. and Velsor Place.
A spokesperson said Chancellor Avenue School was locked down out of an abundance of caution, but all students and staff were safe. Schools were dismissed as usual.
Newark Governor Phil Murphy said in a Tweet he was monitoring the situation:
‘I am aware of and closely monitoring an unfolding situation in Newark. I am in touch with local authorities and the State is providing resources as requested. We will continue to support local law enforcement and ensure that all residents are safe.’