Sheriff: Man Had Guns, Fought with Officers

Essex County Sheriff’s officers arrested a city man Thursday on weapons charges after he was spotted carrying two handguns near the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in the North Ward, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said.

Abdul Henderson, 36, was seen by officers from the Bureau of Narcotics near Barringer High School and the cathedral carrying a plastic garbage bag, Fontoura said. Officers stopped Henderson when they noticed a handgun carrying case protruding from the bag, Fontoura said.

Henderson allegedly fought with the officers who approached him before being placed under arrest. The bag Henderson was carrying contained two Beretta handguns, a 9-mm and a .380-caliber, both of which were loaded, Fontoura said.

Henderson was charged with three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, two counts of unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and resisting arrest by force.