By: Richard L. Smith
In a recent statement from the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, an incident involving police officers and an armed suspect in East Orange has been detailed, shedding light on a tense encounter that unfolded during a routine traffic stop.
On the evening of Saturday, March 23, at approximately 5:52 p.m., East Orange police officers initiated a motor vehicle stop that quickly escalated when one of the vehicle's occupants fled the scene on foot.
Thomas S. Fennelly, the Chief Assistant Prosecutor, outlined the sequence of events that followed.
He said the fleeing suspect, armed with a handgun, reportedly fired at the pursuing officers.
In response, an officer returned fire, resulting in the suspect being struck. Fortunately, the injuries sustained by the suspect were not life-threatening, and they were subsequently treated.
The individual involved has been charged with Aggravated Assault, among other weapons offenses. It is important to note that no officers were injured during the altercation.
As with all cases of this nature, the charges filed against the suspect are considered allegations until proven otherwise in a court of law.
This incident undertlines the inherent risks law enforcement officers face and the quick decisions they must make in the line of duty.