NJ police officer shot during gunfire exchange in Montclair, officials say

Published Apr 15, 2024 at 5:31 p.m. ET

Modified Apr 15, 2024 at 7:41 p.m. ET

Share

 

Published Apr 15, 2024 at 5:31 p.m. ET

Modified Apr 15, 2024 at 7:41 p.m. ET

Share

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2024. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

The Essex County prosecutor's office said a police officer and another person were hospitalized after exchanging gunfire in Montclair, N.J. on Monday.

Officials said an unidentified person shot the officer, and officer then returned fire. Both were expected to survive, authorities said.

The incident took place near Montclair High School but a spokesperson for the town said the school is not involved, and there is no potential threat to the school, officials said.

Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller thanked the police in a post on social media Monday night.

"I am extremely grateful that the Montclair Police Officer wounded in the line of duty today is recovering," he said in the post. "Thanks to the fast response and professionalism of our Police Department, the suspect involved in the shooting has been apprehended. Our dedicated first responders put their lives on the line to serve our community and today is a sobering reminder of the risks they take to keep us safe."

This story has been updated with comment from Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller.

Tagged

Mike Hayes covers equity and access to opportunity in New Jersey. He joined WNYC and Gothamist in 2023. Before that, he worked as a freelance journalist writing about policing and criminal justice. He has written for ProPublica, CNN, HuffPost, BuzzFeed News and The Appeal. He is also the author of the book, “The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform.” In 2019, he was a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE news

The first pick went to Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark. The hometown New York Liberty picked Ole Miss guard Marquesha Davis 11th overall.

Published Apr 15, 2024 at 9:53 p.m. ET

The governor said she and legislative leaders “have the parameters of a conceptual agreement” on a budget. Leaders say otherwise.

The governor said she and legislative leaders “have the parameters of a conceptual agreement” on a budget. Leaders say otherwise.

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio.