IRVINGTON, NJ – A chaotic scene unfolded Wednesday afternoon in Essex County when gunfire erupted at a motel in Irvington, leaving three police officers and a woman injured, authorities said.
Police were called to a motel on Ball Street for reports of a man with a gun. During the response, shots were fired, striking a woman and injuring three officers.
One officer was grazed by a bullet, while two others were taken to University Hospital for observation. All four victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office confirmed the incident but said further details about the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation. The suspect was taken into custody.
Governor Phil Murphy acknowledged the shooting in a statement on social media, writing: “We are grateful for all who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe.”
The motel where the shooting occurred sits just blocks from a barbershop on Chancellor Avenue where Murphy made a campaign stop in 2021, urging Black residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Law enforcement presence remained heavy in the area overnight as investigators continued to examine the scene.
Key Points
- Three police officers and a woman were hospitalized after a shooting at a motel on Ball Street in Irvington.
- Injuries were non-life-threatening; one officer was grazed, two were held for observation.
- A suspect was taken into custody; the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating.