Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio announced today the suspect in the Monday, Aug. 15, police-involved shooting in Newark has been identified as Adrian Facto, age 44. At the time of the shooting, he was living in a homeless shelter in Newark. He previously lived in Wall Township.
Facto, who is in critical condition at University Hospital, faces receiving stolen property, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and eluding charges.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau, and the Newark Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit are investigating the shooting which occurred at approximately 6:15 pm in the 300 block of Mount Prospect Ave.
A 17-year veteran of the Newark Police shot Facto. The preliminary investigation indicates a woman reported her car stolen from a Jersey City shopping center on Sunday, Aug. 14. The car was located by police in Newark because it had a security tracking device. When the officer confronted the suspect in the woman’s Volkswagen SUV, Facto drove up on the sidewalk and struck a female pedestrian, dragging her. In an effort to protect the woman, the officer fired, striking the suspect. The 32-year-old Newark woman hit by the suspect is hospitalized in stable condition at University Hospital. Her name is not being released because she is a crime victim.
The investigation is active and ongoing. No other details are available at this time.
These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law.
