Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced today that detectives from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office interviewed Fairfield Police Officer Veneziano, age 26, in connection with the injuries he sustained during a shooting incident which occurred on January 30, 2010. Acting Prosecutor Laurino reported that Officer Veneziano indicated that the shooting was sparked by “road rage”. Laurino said the Officer’s condition has been upgraded to stable. The Officer did recall that the “road rage” occurred during his eleven mile drive to the Fairfield Police Department, his place of employment. He drove on Route 3 to Route 46 through Clifton and Fairfield. After the “road rage” incident he was followed to Hollywood Avenue and Fairfield Road by a dark colored Dodge bearing a New Jersey license plate. He also recalled that the plate contained the letter “W”.
Officer Veneziano further recalled that he drove to where the suspect was at the location of 300 Fairfield Road. He then identified himself as a Fairfield Police Officer. The lone gunman was described by the Officer as a medium complexioned Black or Hispanic male, twenty or thirty years old. After the shooting the Officer stated that the Dodge fled east on Fairfield Road.
Laurino said the investigation is ongoing and his office will continue to provide information as it becomes available. Anyone with information, please call the Fairfield Tip Line at 973-227-1400.
A $45,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect. The agencies contributing to the reward are Essex County Crime Stoppers – $15,000(available upon arrest); National Police Detective Foundation – $10,000; Collision Restoration, Inc. $5,000 and New Jersey PBA – 10,000, East Hanover- $5,000.
