2 police officers shot in Newark, New Jersey; 1 critically injured

A shooting Friday evening in Newark, New Jersey, wounded two police officers, officials said. Both officers were members of the Newark Police Department. 

One of the officers was critically injured, the Essex County prosecutor’s office said. Both were taken to University Hospital in Newark.

The shooting occurred just after 6:30 p.m. near Broadway and Carteret. The intersection remained blocked off hours later. 

The circumstances of the shooting or what led up to it was unclear. Officials did not say if any suspects were in custody. The investigation was described by the prosecutor’s office as “active and ongoing.”

New Jersey officials react to Newark police shooting

“I have been updated on an incident that took place in Newark earlier tonight involving two officers that were shot,” New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a post on X. “This is a rapidly developing situation. Please pray for these officers, their families, and all our men and women in uniform who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.” 

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement that his “office is closely monitoring the tragic shooting that took place in Newark this evening. Our law enforcement officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect our communities, and tonight is a painful reminder of the depth of the sacrifices they make. Please keep the entire Newark Police Department and the families of our officers in your thoughts as we pray for both officers shot in the line of duty tonight.” 

Stay with CBS News New York for the latest on this developing story.

contributed to this report.