Fairfield NJ Police Officer Shot

[Joeyd6]

way to work Saturday around 6:15 p.m., when he used his cell phone to call a fellow officer, seeking to run a license plate on the Dodge, outside 300 Fairfield Road, authorities said.

But that officer “wasn’t able to do so because he was in the midst of an
FAIRFIELD -- Authorities said today they don’t have a partial license plate on the vehicle that two suspects fled in after shooting an off-duty Fairfield police officer Saturday night.They also said that the suspects may have been driving a black Dodge Nitro, not a Magnum as originally reported.

The injured officer, Gerald Veneziano, 26, remains in critical but stable condition at University Hospital in Newark, Charlotte Smith, Essex County executive assistant prosecutor, said this morning. Veneziano was on his way to work Saturday around 6:15 p.m., when he used his cell phone to call a fellow officer, seeking to run a license plate on the Dodge, outside 300 Fairfield Road, authorities said.

But that officer “wasn’t able to do so because he was in the midst of an emergency call,” Essex County Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino said Sunday afternoon in a press conference about the shooting. Fairfield Deputy Chief Steven Gutkin also confirmed today that Veneziano never gave the other officer a plate number.

Minutes later, the three-year police veteran was shot in his abdomen and torso several times, and returned fire. The prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation, overseeing a multi-agency task force.

Investigators are still going through the area around 300 Fairfield Road, searching for any remaining physical evidence, Smith said.

“We keep plugging away,” said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura. Veneziano, he added, “is the only one that can fill in the blanks, and there are a lot of blanks."

[ocean10]

Things are pretty quiet, and we are hearing all kinds of rumours. Still dont really know what happened, and they havent caught the suspect yet. The officer is improving so that is good news.

[basher52]

Possibly a Road Rage incident, with the Off Duty being followed by the perp. O/D unable to get plate info from fellow on duty officer proceeded to stop and ID himself and was shot by the perp. The perps vehicle is possibly a Dodge Nitro or Jeep type SUV. Earlier reports were that a vehicle matchinhg the script, with bulletholes, was recovered in the confines of the 75 Pct (Bklyn) last week. A press conference by Fairlawn PD given after the reported recovery states they are still looking for the vehicle.

[MikeG]

Possibly a Road Rage incident, with the Off Duty being followed by the perp. O/D unable to get plate info from fellow on duty officer proceeded to stop and ID himself and was shot by the perp. The perps vehicle is possibly a Dodge Nitro or Jeep type SUV. Earlier reports were that a vehicle matchinhg the script, with bulletholes, was recovered in the confines of the 75 Pct (Bklyn) last week. A press conference by Fairlawn PD given after the reported recovery states they are still looking for the vehicle.

Last I read was that he didn't ask for plate check, rather he wanted backup for stop. Single occupant in a dark colored dodge had followed him to his exit off of parkway. As he pulled in to police station for his shift, he noticed that the earlier road rage car had followed him. He called for assistance on the stop but on-duty officer was on emergency call and couldn't back him up. He drove to suspect in personal vehicle and street clothes, ID'd himself as police. He was then shot. He reported that the license plate was NJ and had a "W" in it. Suspect was 20-30 y/o, medium complexion black or Hispanic male last seen traveling east on fairfield road. The officer may have been trying to get a plate check earlier on the freeway when the road rage was happening but that wasn't clear. The reporters suck for keepoing information straight. I have also seen some not so flattering reports but they seem to be nonsense but I am not sure what's driving them.

He got off 13 rounds. He was shot 6 times. There has to be someone who has seen a dark colored dodge in the NYC area with bullet holes, I would hope. Hopefully the shooter was bleeding as well.

[ocean10]

If you check out nj.com and click on essex county, you will find lots on this, and many replies. People are all over the map with ideas and theories. Some people are not nice about it and are speculating way too much.

[Pookie44]

My thoughts and prayers sent.....

[ocean10]

Went to a prayer meeting last night for Officer Veneziano, and spoke with his mom and girlfriend. He is coming along and is doing some rehab now. Still cant eat but wants too, so thats a good sign of him getting well.

The prayer meeting was for him and all officers to keep them safe in the face of violence.

[MikeG]

Went to a prayer meeting last night for Officer Veneziano, and spoke with his mom and girlfriend. He is coming along and is doing some rehab now. Still cant eat but wants too, so thats a good sign of him getting well.

The prayer meeting was for him and all officers to keep them safe in the face of violence.

Good to hear. Let's hope the following is true as well.

Update that "Arrest may come soon"

[shark2k]

Good to hear. Let's hope the following is true as well.

Update that "Arrest may come soon"

Also good to hear about an arrest possibly coming soon. Officer Veneziano is recouperating where Christopher Reeves had his rehab after his accident and it's also 5 minutes from my house. Hopefully he'll recoup quickly and be able to get back to work soon.

-Shark2k

[basher52]

Thanks for the update.

[MikeG]

Arrest made.

Preye L. Roberts of Nutley also faces weapons charges in the Jan. 30 incident.

Markings on the ammunition matched shell casings found at the crime scene where Veneziano was shot.

Investigators went to Veneziano's room at University Hospital in Newark on Friday night, and he identified a photo of Roberts.

Roberts was renting a black Dodge Caliber with a "W" in the license plate, a detail Veneziano had previously reported to investigators.

[ocean10]

Glad he was caught!
Here is another link to the story...

Police arrest Nutley resident in shooting of off-duty Fairfield police officer in road rage incident | - NJ.com

[MikeG]

Another Update. On long road to recovery.

NorthJersey.com: Officer?s road to recovery

[MikeG]

Indictment. Facing 30 years. Not long enough for what he was charged with IMO.

NorthJersey.com: Man indicted in attempted murder of officer

[MikeG]

Update: Veneziano back on modified duty. Describes shooting.

Fairfield police officer recounts night he was shot 6 times | NJ.com