Man Shot During Alleged Carjacking of Off-Duty Newark Police Officer

A suspect was shot and wounded by an off-duty Newark police officer during a carjacking at a Newark gas station early Saturday morning, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office said.

At approximately 3:40 am, the off-duty Newark officer, whose name was not released,  was putting air in a tire of his car when a 19-year-old male jumped into the driver's seat  and allegedly attempted to steal it. The officer, a 23-year veteran, attempted to stop the suspect. When the man reached for a gun, officials said, the officer drew his weapon and fired at the fleeing car.

A short time later, a male suffering from a gunshot wound walked into the emergency room at University Hospital. The male was subsequently identified as the individual who carjacked the officer. The suspect, identified as Marcus Brent, 19, of Newark was hospitalized in stable condition.

Brent has been charged with carjacking, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons offenses, according to Chief Assistant Prosecutor Thomas S. Fennelly of the Prosecutor's Homicide Unit. Brent is currently under police guard at University Hospital.

The investigation is being conducted by the Prosecutor's Major Crimes Task Force, which includes detectives from the Newark Police Department. The Prosecutor's Professional Standards Bureau is also involved in the investigation.