Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Donald Easterling, 30, of two counts of aggravated assault for shooting a Newark Police officer during an armed robbery on July 30, 2014.
Following a trial before the Honorable Siobhan Teare, Judge of the Superior Court, Easterling was convicted late yesterday of shooting, Dennis Dominguez, who was a 19-year veteran of the Newark Police Department at the time of the shooting.
The officer was shot in the knee. The injuries were not considered life-threatening but ended his career with the Newark Police Department, said Assistant Prosecutor Timothy Shaughnessy who tried the case.
Easterling was also convicted of two counts of armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a high capacity magazine.
According to Assistant Prosecutor Shaughnessy, the officer was responding to a robbery in progress at the 99 Cent Zone store at 303 Clinton Avenue. Easterling was in the store with a handgun and extended magazine capable of shooting 30 rounds.
Prior to the officers arrival on the scene, two employees left the store and closed the magnetic lock behind them, locking Easterling inside the store with the store owner and two patrons.
The employees alerted police in the area. The first officer on the scene saw Easterling, armed with a handgun, trying to leave the store with a bag of stolen items. Easterling pointed the weapon at that officer.
The officer fired two rounds, striking Easterling once.
sustained minor injuries and was treated and released after two hours at the hospital.
Officer Dominguez came to the scene responding to a call for backup. As he was attempting to gain entry to the store Easterling shot the officer in the knee.
Easterling was eventually taken into custody at the scene.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 20. Easterling faces life in prison because he is eligible for an extended prison term due to his multiple prior convictions, including robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession with intent to distribute narcotics.
Assistant Prosecutor Shaughnessy said, “All the officers should be commended for their heroic actions that day in their continued pursuit of the armed suspect in defense of the occupants of the store.’’