Police Benevolent Association Local 105 is lauding one of its correctional police officers who jumped into action to save a seriously injured boy shot in a section of Newark's North Ward Saturday night.
According to PBA President William Sullivan, Correctional Police Officer Sergio Santiago was at his home in the 300 block of Woodside Avenue when he heard two loud popping noises outside just before 7 p.m.
Residents in the North Ward community, who have become immune to gunfire in the area, dialed 911, alerting police of the possible shooting.
According to Sullivan, Officer Santiago looked outside his window and saw a young man lying in the snow shot in the chin and bleeding from his mouth at that location.
Sullivan said Officer Santiago jumped into action and ran outside. He immediately provided first aid treatment to the victim, who bled heavily after shooters occupying a vehicle with tinted windows pulled to the location, rolled down the rear passenger window, then fired at the victim at point-blank range.
PBA President Sullivan said Officer Santiago noticed that the victim was losing a lot of blood due to a bullet wound to the chin and applied as much gauze as he had and a towel that was strong enough to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.
Sullivan said due to the weather and the victim's location in the snow, the injured juvenile was beginning to experience some apparent hypothermia and began to shake.
"Officer Santiago used his training and experience to keep the victim stabilized and conscience where he remained in conversation with the boy and encourage him to keep eye contact until Newark Police and University Hospital EMS arrived," PBA Local 105 President Sullivan said.
Newark Police searched the area for the vehicle involved in the shooting. They were later informed that the unoccupied car was located in the 100 block of William Street in Belleville around 10 p.m.
The juvenile's condition could not immediately be confirmed, but The Essex County Prosecutor's Office said they could not confirm a homicide for the incident Sunday afternoon.
The motive for the shooting is under investigation and the motive is unknown at this time.