Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino has announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards bureau and Homicide Squad, in conjunction with the Newark Police Department, are investigating the fatal police related shooting of Rashaan Gilbert, 33 of 1582 Leslie Street, Hillside, New Jersey by officers of the Newark Police Gang/Drug Unit.
The shooting occurred after midnight today’s date at 115 Mapes Avenue by Bergen Street in the South Ward of Newark . The officers were conducting an investigation in the area . The officers were in plainclothes and in a parked, unmarked police vehicle when they were approached by Gilbert who was brandishing a revolver at the time of the shooting. The both officers fired their department issued weapons, striking Gilbert.
Gilbert was transported to University Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The officers were transported to the same hospital for treatment. A loaded revolver was found and recovered at the scene.
The investigation is continuing. The findings of the investigation will be presented to a Grand Jury as in all police-related shootings. Both officers fired a total seven rounds hitting Gilbert six (6) times. An autopsy performed on Gilbert confirmed that he was shot six (6) times by the officers.
Additional information will be released upon completion of the investigation.
