Crime & Safety

Off-Duty West Orange Officer Involved in Newark Shooting

Officer fired his weapon after being struck by vehicle

An off-duty West Orange police officer was involved in a shooting in Newark's North Ward Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

The officer was with his father, a Newark policeman, who residents said lives on North 13th Street between First Avenue and Abington Avenue where the incident occurred.

The two officers witnessed individuals breaking into cars along North 13th Street around 1:30 p.m., Katherine Carter, spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office said.

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She said the West Orange officer fired his weapon after one of the cars drove toward him. The officer, who has not been identified, was taken to University Hospital. His condition is not known.

It is unknown if anyone else was injured in the incident. Two unidentified suspects were taken into custody, Carter said.

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The Newark Police Department and the Professional Standards Bureau of the Essex County Prosecutor's Office are investigating the incident.

The West Orange Police Department confirmed that one of their off-duty officers was involved in an incident in the North Ward Thursday afternoon, but would not specify what happened. Sgt. Ronald Glover, spokesman of the Newark Police, also confirmed the incident involved an off-duty West Orange officer, but deferred further questions to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, which handles the investigations of all police-related shootings.

Soon after the incident, detectives and members of Newark's Crime Scene Unit filled the quiet block of multi-family homes around 2:30 p.m. West Orange Internal Affairs officials were also briefly on scene.

One man, who said he's lived in the area for more than 30 years, said his wife was home when the incident occurred but she did not hear gunshots.

"The idea that you have police officers who live on the block makes you feel secure," said the resident, who did not wish to be identified. The man claimed a Newark police officer lives down the road from him and that his son, the West Orange officer, was visiting him.

The man said the father's name is Dennis Dominguez and his son is "a hell of a good guy."

Newark police union sources did confirm a Dennis Dominguez is currently employed as a Newark police officer but would not confirm whether it is the same man.

At the scene, a newer model, red Range Rover could be seen parked in the middle of the block as police peered into the passenger-side window.

Shortly after 3 p.m., a tow truck was seen carting away the Range Rover.


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