NJ Man Accused Of Shooting West Orange Cop In Convenience Store – West Orange, NJ Patch

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County man has been accused of wounding an unarmed, off-duty West Orange police officer during an encounter at a local convenience store.

Shaahid Forshee, 36, of East Orange, was arrested Monday and charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to a joint statement from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and the West Orange Police Department.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the incident:

“At approximately 3 p.m., a 27-year-old West Orange police officer entered a convenience store on South Valley Road and observed an altercation between two men. One of the men, Forshee, was allegedly armed with a handgun. The officer intervened. It is alleged that during the struggle, the suspect struck the officer with the gun and fired the weapon, striking the officer in the head. The bullet grazed the officer’s head, causing non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was taken to University Hospital, where he was in stable condition.”

According to prosecutors, the person who was arguing with Forshee fled the scene. Forshee also fled, and was later arrested in Newark.

Forshee is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday, prosecutors said.

The Essex County Prosecutor’s Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force continues to investigate the incident, authorities said. Anyone with information can contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office tips line at 1-800-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.

West Orange public safety officials also released a statement about the incident, describing it as a “robbery in progress.” Read More: Officer Wounded During Armed Robbery At Store In West Orange, Authorities Say

According to a township social media post:

“At 3:08 p.m., an off-duty West Orange police officer sustained a non-life-threating injury in attempting to intervene in a robbery in progress at Krauszers on 12 South Valley Road. The suspect’s firearm discharged one time before fleeing the scene. A potential suspect and vehicle are being detained by the Newark Police Department. The officer has been transported to a local hospital and is currently being treated. The scene is secure and there is no threat to public safety.”

The West Orange PBA gave a Tuesday update on the wounded officer’s condition.

“We would like to thank our residents for the outpouring of support we have received for our officer who was involved in a heroic off-duty incident today,” the PBA stated. “He is expected to make a full recovery and we ask you to keep him and his family in your prayers while he recovers.”

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