Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor and Somerville Borough Chief of Police Dennis Manning announced that Alquan J. Harris, 20, of South Gaston Avenue, Somerville, has been identified as the third individual wanted by law enforcement authorities for his involvement in last Thursday’s shooting in Somerville.
Prosecutor Robertson stated that on October 26th, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Somerville Police responded to a call of shots fired in the area of Third Street and Center Street.
The investigation revealed that a resident from Easton, Pennsylvania was in the area of Third Street and Center Street when he was approached by Azikwa D. Rustin and Joseph N. Wright who opened fire on him while he was seated inside his vehicle.
During this event defendant Rustin was shot in the buttocks by his accomplice, defendant Wright. The continuing investigation revealed that defendant Harris was also present during the shooting and participated in events related to the shooting. While investigators are attempting to determine a motive for the shooting, preliminary results are that the victim may have been mistaken for another individual.
The investigation regarding the whereabouts of defendants Wright and Harris is continuing.
Detectives are urge the public to report and not to approach the defendants who are considered to be armed and dangerous.
Detectives are urging both defendants to turn themselves into law enforcement authorities.
Police have arrested and charged Rustin with first degree attempted murder, second degree possession of a firearm, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and second degree certain persons prohibited from possessing or controlling a firearm.
Defendant Wright has been charged with first degree attempted murder, second degree possession of a firearm, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm and a second degree certain person not to possess a firearm offense.
According to authorities, Harris has been charged with first degree attempted murder, second degree possession of a firearm, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor, and Chief Manning request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Somerville Borough Police Department at 908-725-0331 or via the STOPit app by downloading STOPit to your smart phone at Google Play or the Apple Store and enter the access code SOMERSETNJ.
Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is likewise offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the whereabouts and arrest of defendants Wright and Harris. Tipsters wanting to remain anonymous and collect the reward monies must call the Somerset County Crime Stopper’s Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or submit information online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.
The charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.