BELLEVILLE, NJ — A Newark man was taken into custody Monday night after a shooting at the Stephen Crane Housing Complex in Newark led to a foot pursuit and arrest in Belleville, according to local police.
At approximately 10:41 p.m. on July 21, Belleville officers responded to reports of a possible shooting near 70 Watchung Avenue. After receiving a suspect description, police pursued and arrested 33-year-old Ibn Williams of Newark behind 191 Franklin Street. A firearm was recovered during the arrest.
Shortly after the arrest, a male gunshot victim was located on Salter Place in neighboring Bloomfield. He had sustained a gunshot wound to the left hand and was transported to Clara Maass Medical Center in stable condition.
Investigators determined the shooting originated inside Newark’s Stephen Crane Housing Complex. Both the suspect and the victim fled into Belleville after the incident. Several .22 caliber shell casings were found on Watchung Avenue as part of the ongoing investigation.
Belleville police emphasized their support role in what has become a multi-agency response. “The shooting originated in Newark,” officials stated.
Belleville has responded to similar spillover incidents from the complex earlier this month, including reports of gunfire on July 11 and July 14.