2 police officers shot 'at close range' in Newark; Suspect at large

NEWARK, NJ (PIX11) --- Two police officers in Newark were shot "at close range" in Newark early on Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Ras Baraka said.

A concerned citizen had called police about a Friday shooting, saying they'd identified a suspect in that shooting inside a Van Elsor Place building, Baraka said. The officers headed over to the building a short time later.

One of the wounded officers was shot in the leg, Baraka said. He experienced a small fracture to the leg. Another suffered a graze wound to the neck and an injury to the shoulder. He was taken into surgery. They were in stable condition on Tuesday night.

As the wounded cops were being treated at the hospital, other officers cleared residents from the building. Video from AIR11 near Chancellor Avenue and Van Elsor Place shows around a dozen police officers on a rooftop. Some were holding protective shields and others were in position with guns. Other officers could be seen positioned on the ground behind squad cars.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the injured officers and all the officers handling the Newark attack," New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association President Patrick Colligan Colligan said. "This level of violence must be stopped and condemned by everyone."

Gov. Phil Murphy said he's "closely monitoring" the situation. He'd been in touch with local authorities.

"We will continue to support local law enforcement and ensure that all residents are safe," Murphy said.