TRENTON, N.J. — The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has released body-worn camera footage of a police shooting in Newark on August 12, involving Officer Alexander Ferreira and his partner, which resulted in non-fatal injuries to a driver during an encounter with law enforcement.
The incident began at approximately 8:34 p.m. when the officers spotted a stolen Porsche Macan parked near Clinton Place and Hawthorne Avenue. After positioning their patrol vehicle to investigate, the officers approached the car and ordered the sole occupant, seated in the passenger seat, to exit the vehicle. The man complied, was handcuffed, and escorted to the patrol vehicle.
As officers were securing the passenger, an individual exited a nearby convenience store, entered the Porsche through the passenger-side door, and moved into the driver’s seat. Officers attempted to remove the person, but the driver refused to comply. Officer Ferreira secured the original passenger in the patrol car and returned to assist his partner, who was struggling with the driver as the Porsche reversed.
Officer Ferreira’s partner disengaged from the vehicle after repeated warnings to “back up.” As the car accelerated forward, Officer Ferreira discharged two shots, striking the driver. The Porsche sped away, crashing into a building and two parked cars before coming to a stop.
The driver, who sustained life-threatening injuries, was given medical aid on the scene and transported to University Hospital, where he is expected to survive. The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) is investigating the incident in accordance with the Attorney General’s protocols for police use of force.