OFICIAL DE INVESTIGACIÓN DE LA OFICINA DEL FISCAL DEL CONDADO DE HUDSON INVOLUCRADO EN UN TIROTEO EN LA CIUDAD DE JERSEY

On Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at approximately 8 p.m., members of the Jersey City Police Department Street Crimes Unit were conducting an investigation in the area of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Oak Street when officers observed an individual with what appeared to be a handgun.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that the suspect, when approached by the officers who identified themselves as police, fled across the parking lot of the Salem Lafayette Public Housing Complex. The suspect, later identified as Korron Benthall, was observed dropping a firearm which he then picked up and raised. At this time, one officer discharged his weapon striking Benthall in the wrist. Benthall was transported to the Jersey City Medical Center for treatment for the non-life threatening injury. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was recovered from the immediate scene.

Benthall, age 21, of Jersey City has been charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b; a crime of the second degree and Possession of Prohibited

Weapons and Devices – Hollow Nose Bullet in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-3f, a crime of the fourth degree.

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and is in the early stages of its investigation. As is standard protocol, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has been notified and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is working in conjunction with the state Attorney General. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity Unit at 201- 795-6400, ext. 6771.