Newark Police Shoot, Wound Suspect During Chase

Newark police shot and wounded a 38-year-old city man early Wednesday evening, the second officer-involved shooting in Newark that day.

Police were patrolling along the 50 block of Ludlow Street around 6:15 pm when they spotted a group of men on a street corner, said Sgt. Ron Glover, adding that officers’ “attention was drawn” to the group.

When police approached, one of the men, Alsurquan Richardson, ran, Glover said. When police began to chase him, Richardson allegedly pointed a gun at the pursuing officers, prompting one of them to fire at Richardson. Richardson was shot in the leg and was treated at University Hospital. Richardson’s gun, a .40-caliber Taurus, was recovered at the scene, Glover said.

“This evening’s incident that concluded with the arrest of an armed suspect that pointed a loaded weapon at an officer, illustrates the dangers officers face in apprehending dangerous criminals,” said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio.

The department’s office of professional standards and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the shooting, Glover also said.