Police Open Fire After 2 Men Are Shot in North Ward

Newark Police say a special police officer opened fire on three armed suspects after two men were shot Friday afternoon in the North Ward, according to a published report.

After hearing shots fired on the 100 block of Riverside Avenue at approximately 4:30 p.m., the special officer fired her weapon at three suspects believed to be armed, the Star-Ledger reported.

Department spokesperson Sgt. Ronald Glover said an investigation into the special officer's actions in underway by the police department’s Professional Standards Bureau and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. He added that it is not known if any of the three suspects were hit by the gunfire.

The suspects are still at large, according to Glover.

The two men shot prior to the special officer's actions were taken to University Hospital for treatment, he said, adding that a weapon was recovered at the scene.