14 Year Old Goes on Rampage, Cop Taken
THE DETAILS …
A tragic shootout in Newark, New Jersey, on Friday evening resulted in the death of one police officer and left another in critical condition following an exchange of gunfire with a 14-year-old suspect near a McDonald’s and White Castle at the intersection of Carteret Street and Broadway. The incident began around 6:30 p.m. when bullets flew amidst pedestrians in the busy area, culminating in the teenager being fatally shot by responding officers. Reports indicate the suspect fired approximately 29 shots at the police before officers returned fire, though conflicting accounts exist regarding the teen’s status, with some sources stating he was killed and others reporting he was taken into custody.
The two Newark police officers were rushed to University Hospital, where one succumbed to their injuries, and the other remains in critical condition, described as “fighting for his life” by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association. The fallen officer was identified as a 25-year-old, though specific details about the officers’ identities have not been disclosed. The shootout occurred in the city’s North Ward, and while the suspect was reportedly part of a large group at the fast-food restaurants prior to the incident, authorities have yet to clarify the events leading up to the violent confrontation.
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New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy addressed the incident, calling it a “rapidly developing situation” and urging the public to pray for the officers, their families, and all law enforcement personnel who risk their lives daily. Governor Murphy and his wife, Tammy, made a private visit to the hospital to support the wounded officer and his colleagues. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the shooting, which marked the only fatal police shooting among four reported officer-involved incidents across the U.S. that day. The New Jersey Fraternal Order of Police also expressed their sorrow, emphasizing the bravery of the officers involved in the line of duty.