Suspects Open Fire On Police, 5 Officers Injured

An early morning shoot out Thursday in Jersey City, New Jersey has left two suspects dead and five officers injured - in what may have been the result of a police department investigation into an armed robbery last week, officials said.

The injured officers have been identified as Frank Molina Jr., 35, Michael Camacho, 25, Marc DiNardo, 37, Marc Lavelle, 43, and Dennis Mitchell, whose age has not been identified.
According to Jersey City police, at around 5:15 a.m. an armed black man and woman, wearing long robes and black hoodies, shot at officers at 24 Reed Street in Jersey City. One resident told PIX News that she heard "intense gunfire" as officers returned fire.

In fact, one of the suspects, who have tentatively been identified as 32-year-old Hassan A. Shakur and 23-year-old Amanda Anderson, shedded an outer garment to access a pump shotgun, which is, according to Jersey City Police Chief Thomas Comey, a combat weapon.
PIX News learned that at around 6:45 a.m. the suspects, were 'neutralized.' Jersey City police confirmed Shakur and Anderson were shot and killed by officers. They were apparently cornered in a building, on the corner of Reed Street and Bergen Avenue, which was first searched and evacuated.

Earlier, the pair were able to escape police and an intense manhunt for them included all New Jersey police units. Later, Port Authority police units, K-9 Units, New Jersey State troopers and Emergency Services Unit snipers were called to the scene of the shooting to assist local police in the search that included area rooftops.

Residents told PIX News they saw snipers on rooftops and officers jumping from rooftop to rooftop possibly in pursuit of the suspects,. In addition, cops said that the building where the suspects were subdued is known for drug sales activity and believe the gunfire began with a drug deal gone wrong.

"It was a guy selling drugs and he probably sold some bad drugs and the guy came back to retaliate," said a local resident who witnessed the shooting. "So when they seen the cops coming that's when they shot at the cops. That's probably how they cop got shot. Then they ran into the alleyway so they must have went into the window from the back and go in through the window on the first floor."

According to residents, violence has plagued the area and surrounding communities for many years, leaving some unfazed by the bloodshed that happens on a regular basis. Although they say it happens all the time, some neighbors who spoke to PIX News described Thursday's shootings as "intense" and at times "frightening."

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Jersey City Police Chief Thomas Comey expressed outrage at how gun violence has become almost accepted in the area and lashed out at loopholes in the law that continue to allow such deadly weapons to be on the street and in the hands of criminals.

"Somebody's gotta wake up and smell the coffee, and say enough is enough," Comey said about taking illegal guns off the streets of the community. "Stop being afraid of the NRA, and start being afraid of our own rights."

Molina a 15-year veteran of the force, who was shot in the back, remains in the Jersey City Medical Center for observation. Camacho, a five-year-veteran, who was shot in the neck, remains in critical condition, as does DiNardo, a 10-year veteran, who was shot in the face. Lavelle, a 20-year veteran, who was shot in the leg, was treated and released, as was Mitchell, a seven-year veteran of the Port Authority police force, who was shot in the arm.

Witnesses say one officer was bleeding from his face and PIX videographer John Fine assisted the male officer into an ambulance. The officer told PIX News that he was, "okay despite the way he looks." He may have been one of the officers who was grazed with a bullet.

Authorities believe Shakur and Anderson may have been involved with a June shooting caught on surveillance tape, but are currently waiting for fingerprint results before making a solid identification.

President Barack Obama, who was visiting Holmdel, New Jersey today, attending a fundraiser at the P&C Art Center for a fundraiser event held by Gov. Jon Corzine, spoke to reporters and emphasized the dangers officers through on a daily basis.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families of those hurt," Obama said. The shooting "shows the sacrifice our law enforcement officers and their families go through every day." And convert video to Flash.