During a 15 minute press conference this evening outside of the Jersey City Medical Center, Mayor Steven Fulop and Police Director John Shea told reporters a 21-year old suspect was shot in the wrist by an eight year veteran of the Jersey City Police Department.
The incident began at 7:50 as police were conducting a routine, electronic surveillance of a neighborhood in the southwestern section of the city. Police observed the suspect retrieve a firearm from a vehicle and place it in his pocket. As police went after the suspect and caught up to him, three shots were fired by the officer. The area, MLK Drive and Union Street, has been a particularly violent one this year according to Shea, who said a child had been shot in the neighborhood earlier this year.
Mayor Fulop stated that his office wanted to make sure the public had as much information as possible on the police involved shooting, as soon as possible, given the climate in the country the past several months.
Neither the suspect, nor the police officer were identified this evening, although the Mayor did say the “officer was safe.” He did not “experience any wound to himself.” Shea said the officer is assigned to a unit addressing violence.
The case will be investigated by an outside agency, as is every police involved shooting. Shea said the State Attorney General has assigned the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office to conduct the investigation.
The weapon the suspect had in his possession was recovered at the scene. It was a loaded, semi-automatic handgun. It is being processed by the crime scene investigation unit.
Mayor Fulop added that once the investigation has been completed, the body cam footage, and any other footage which may surface, will be made available to the media. No further details were revealed tonight.
