Holly MatkinNewark, NJ – The alleged gunman accused of shooting two Newark police officers on Tuesday has been arrested after a massive manhunt that lasted nearly 24 hours.
Video footage captured by a news helicopter showed a group of law enforcement officers dressed in tactical gear carrying the handcuffed suspect out of a building on Van Velsor Place on Wednesday, WABC reported.
He has been identified as 30-year-old Kendal Howard.
The series of events leading to Howard’s arrest began at approximately 1 p.m. on Nov. 1, when police received a tip about a possible suspect wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred on Oct. 28, WABC reported.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said the tipster saw a flier about the shooting and told police Howard could be found in a building near the intersection of Chancellor Avenue and Van Velsor Place, according to WNBC.
Officers were leaving the building when they encountered Howard out in the parking lot.
“They gave him instructions; there was a brief altercation; the gentleman pulled a gun out, shot two police officers at close range,” Baraka told reporters, according to CNN. “Gunshot was returned – fire was returned. The gentleman retreated into the building.”
One Newark Police Department (NPD) officer was shot in the leg during the attack, WABC reported.
Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said the second officer was shot in the face and that the bullet traveled down into his shoulder, according to WNBC.
The officers were rushed to a local hospital as SWAT units and additional law enforcement officers responded to the scene, WABC reported.
Residents sheltered in place for hours while police searched the property and blocked off streets to canvass the surrounding area.
https://twitter.com/NewarkNJPolice/status/1587501321288130561?s=20&t=bN1EyzIq-MwUJ5lsqB4Ueg
Howard was ultimately apprehended at approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday, WABC reported.
It was not immediately clear if he hid in the building overnight or if he somehow managed to escape and re-enter the perimeter.
Officers hauled him out of the apartment complex and arrested him on charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
#BREAKING Arrested
Suspect in shooting of 2 Newark Police officers being carried out of apartment building after getting arrested today.
Law enforcement source provided me with picture
30 year old Kendall Howard in custody #newark #NewarkNJ #police #crime #newark pic.twitter.com/NEI5HQceey
— Linda Schmidt (@LSchmidtFox5) November 2, 2022
The alleged gunman suspected of shooting two police officers in Newark yesterday has been captured and is in police custody.
I commend our local law enforcement on their swift action to control the situation & protect their community during another horrific act of gun violence.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 2, 2022
Baraka said the officer who was shot in the leg also has a small fracture, CNN reported.
Both officers have been with the NPD for less than two years, Director Frage told WNBC.
They remained hospitalized in stable condition on Wednesday.
“We are relieved to announce that the two officers who were shot are in stable condition and are expected to have a full and complete recovery,” Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens said in a press conference after Howard’s arrest, according to WNBC.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
