Police Kill 2 Robbery Suspects in Newark: Source

Police shot and killed two robbery suspects who sideswiped a cop car during a pursuit in Newark Friday.

A law enforcement source says three suspects were believed to have committed an armed robbery on the street, though the precise location remains unclear. An off-duty officer got word of information including the suspects' vehicle, saw the car and started following it while calling for backup, the source said. 

Additional police responded. At some point, multiple officers opened fire, according to the source, killing two of the suspects. It's not clear if any of the suspects showed a weapon or fired one. 

"It sounded like firecrackers," said neighbor Rui Teixeira. "I looked out the window, I heard people yelling to 'get down, don't move.'" 

"Continuously going," added Richard Gregory. "And then a lot of sirens." 

Eric Romero, 12, heard it all from home before he went to school.

"I hid under my bed because I thought about my safety drills at school," he said. "I still went to school, but scared." 

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that two people were killed and a third was in custody following the incident in the 500 block of Seventh Street. None of the officers involved were injured.

Police also arrested a 17 year old who allegedly tried to run from the scene. 

Video showed an extensive emergency presence at the scene, with dozens of law enforcement officers and investigative personnel canvassing the area near Seventh and Abington Friday morning. 

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said, "No matter what happens, no matter what the story turns out to be, these children or adults or whoever they are have parents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity." 

Neighbors said they'd like answers, too, to bring a sense of peace to the neighborhood. 

The officers involved in the shooting will be on desk duty during the ongoing investigation.

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