Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Eugene Venable announced today that the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are investigating a fatal shooting.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, at approximately 4:28 a.m. a retired police officer working as an armed security guard for UPS shot Devin Grimes, 26, of Newark. Grimes was pronounced dead yesterday at 3:20 pm.
The preliminary investigation indicates that the officer was sitting in a vehicle at 64 Gould Avenue in Newark when two males approached him. One of the males produced a handgun and ordered the security officer to get out of the car.
While exiting the car, the security officer, fearing for his life, discharged his weapon striking the suspect. Grimes was transported to University Hospital. The second suspect fled in a white pickup truck.
At this time, no charges have been filed. The investigation is active and ongoing and the actions of the security officer will likely be presented to the Grand Jury, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly.
The security officer, who is not being identified at this time, is a retired Union City police officer.