New Jersey Attorney General: Charges Pending in Police-involved Shooting

If Corey Bland lives he is likely to face serious prison time.

According to a preliminary State Attorney General Office investigation, last night, troopers from the Metro North Unit observed a 2005 Audi with a Pennsylvania license plate traveling in Newark. The vehicle had been reported stolen as a result of an armed carjacking that occurred earlier in the day in the city. 

The troopers pursued the suspect’s vehicle through Newark and onto Interstate 78. Due to safety concerns, the pursuit was terminated only to be resumed later by Summit Township Police. The suspect’s vehicle was chased back into Newark where it slammed into a state police cruiser. The car continued forward and hit a marked Newark Police vehicle head-on. 

When troopers and officers exited their vehicle to approach the suspect’s vehicle, the Audi backed up and accelerated forward towards them. The troopers and officers fired their service weapons to defend themselves and the suspect’s vehicle fled the scene. The Audi eventually then struck numerous parked vehicles and a State Police unmarked vehicle before plowing into scaffolding. The driver tried to put the car in reverse as police officers and troopers opened fire again, this time stopping the suspect from causing further harm. 

Bland sustained several gunshot wounds and was removed from the vehicle and transported to University Hospital in Newark where he remains in critical but stable condition. The troopers and officers whose vehicles were struck by the Audi were also treated for minor injuries.

According to the A.G.’s Office, criminal charges against Bland are anticipated to be filed this afternoon.