An off-duty state corrections officer was shot during an attempted robbery in Newark early Tuesday morning, authorities said.

Shortly after midnight, Newark police responded to a report of a shooting in the 600 block of Springfield Avenue where they found off-duty officer Mervyn D. Davis, 43, of Newark, who suffered from a non-life threatening gunshot wound, according to Katherine Carter, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Davis was then transported to University Hospital where he was treated.

A preliminary investigation shows Davis was shot during an attempted robbery as he was leaving an establishment at that location.

An investigation by the ECPO's Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the ECPO tips line at 877-847-7432.

"I am relieved that the officer did not sustain any life threatening injuries as a result of this incident and I wish him a complete and speedy recovery," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio in a statement. "In the interim, our investigators will continue to work tirelessly to identify and arrest those responsible and bring them to justice."

– Staff reports