Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today that the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the Newark Police Department are investigating a police-involved shooting.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 1:13 AM today an off-duty Newark Police Officer was stopped at a red light in his personal vehicle in the vicinity of Charlton Street and Springfield Avenue when he was bumped from behind by two men. When he stepped out the car to inspect the damage, a gun was pulled on the officer. The suspect gained control of the officer’s vehicle.
The officer responded by drawing his service weapon and announcing he was a police officer. There was an exchange of gunfire. After the exchange of gunfire, the suspect fled in officer’s vehicle. A short time later, a male suffering from a gun shot wound was dropped off at Beth Israel Hospital, where he underwent surgery. His condition is unknown at this time. The officer did not sustain any gun shot injuries.
The suspect has been identified as Royce Dedeaux, 24. He has addresses in both Irvington and Newark. He was arrested and charged with robbery, weapons offenses and conspiracy.
“The Newark Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division in conjunction with that of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is launching an extensive investigation into the circumstances that led to a shooting involving an off-duty police officer early this morning. As is our protocol, we will not comment further pending the outcome of this investigation,” said Newark Police Director DeMaio.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.
