Crime & Safety

'Person of Interest' Arrested in Newark Cop Killing

Police seeking second suspect.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office has confirmed Friday night that they have arrested a "person of interest" in the shooting death of Newark police officer William C. Johnson, but that a second suspect is still at-large.

Officials say Rasul McNeil-Thomas, 19, of Newark, was arrested at his home on the 300 block of Leslie Street in the South Ward around 5:20 p.m. without incident, about half-a-mile from the location of the Lyons Avenue shooting. McNeil-Thomas is facing a number of charges including conspiracy to commit carjacking, unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office said Friday that early evidence suggests McNeil-Thomas stole a vehicle at gunpoint and that "evidence related to the shooting" was found in the vehicle, which has been recovered by police. The car, only described as a "late model" vehicle, allegedly was carjacked shortly before the shooting and was found abandoned shortly after the incident, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray.

Find out what's happening in New Providence-Berkeley Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This investigation has been done well and it has been done right," said Murray. She and Acting Newark Police Department Director Samuel DeMaio credited police officers for working round the clock.

"They just don’t want to let this investigation go until it comes to the close," said DeMaio.

Find out what's happening in New Providence-Berkeley Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The off-duty officer was killed in a  while allegedly buying a slice of pizza at Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza on Lyons Avenue in Newark's South Ward, according to city officials.

Two other victims, a 19-year-old female and a 21-year-old male, were injured during the incident. The man was listed in stable condition, while the woman was treated and released. City officials said the woman was carrying a toddler during the incident. The toddler was unharmed. The identities of the man and woman were not immediately known.

Acting Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray called the arrest of McNeil-Thomas, which came less than 24 hours after the shooting, "a major development" in the case, and that the office would move forward with the investigation "methodically, going where the evidence takes us."

McNeil-Thomas is currently in Essex County Correctional Facility in lieu of $300,000 bail.

This is a breaking news story. Keep checking Patch for updates as they develop


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from New Providence-Berkeley Heights