By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon after allegedly firing a weapon in a residential area near a South Ward high school, authorities said.
According to the investigation, a ShotSpotter alert was activated around 3:30 p.m. in the 100 block of Johnson Avenue.
Officers responding to the scene discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound and began searching the area for additional victims and any potential suspects.
During the investigation, officers learned that the injured man had reportedly shot himself inside a residence before running outside to seek help.
He was identified as a 48-year-old Thomas M. Crawford of Newark.
Crawford was transported to University Hospital for treatment and later charged with multiple weapons offenses, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.
The incident occurred in a neighborhood near a local high school, but no students or staff were reported to be involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
