UPDATE: Sheriff's Officers Shoot, Kill Drug Suspect on Newark Street

A 22-year-old city man was shot and killed by Essex County Sheriff’s officers Wednesday afternoon on N. 9th Street in Newark, officials confirmed.

Bishop Jethro James, a chaplain for the New Jersey State Police who was at the scene of the shooting consoling the dead man’s family, as well as media outlets, identified him as Jose Quinonez.

James also said sheriff’s officers allegedly observed Quinonez taking part in a drug deal around 12:30 pm. The Essex County Sheriff’s Office routinely takes part in “quality of life” patrols in the North Ward that target narcotics offenders.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura was at the scene Wednesday afternoon but did not speak to reporters.

When officers approached, Quinonez ran and reached for a gun, said Katherine Carter, a spokesperson for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, prompting officers to fire twice.  A loaded weapon and drugs were found at the scene, Carter also said. 

The officers' names were not released. 

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray called in clergy to speak with neighborhood residents, who became distraught as the incident unfolded. People pelted sheriff's vehicles with rocks, according to witnesses quoted by NJ.com. 

Junior Diaz, who was bicycling through the area when the shooting occurred, said he saw Quinonez running from police and then saw him struck by a police car.

Neighbors Wednesday continued to express outrage about the incident and questioned the tactics used by the sheriff’s office.

But James urged calm until a full investigation had been completed.