Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable announced today that Donald Easterling, 26, of Newark has been charge with robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Bail was set at $250,000 by the Honorable Sherry Hutchins-Henderson, Judge of the Superior Court.
Early yesterday afternoon a Newark police officer was injured while responding to a robbery in progress. Newark police were alerted to an incident in a retail establishment in the 300 block of Clinton Avenue. As officers approached the store, there was a confrontation with Easterling.
A 19-year veteran of the Newark Police Department sustained non-life threatening injuries. The suspect was also shot. Both were hospitalized yesterday. The suspect has been released from the hospital and he has been remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility. The officer has also been released from the hospital.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All police-involved shootings are investigated by the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutors Office. That investigation is active and ongoing.
Man Charged in Shooting Veteran Newark Police Officer
Newark