Police shot a 22-year-old New Jersey man who allegedly opened fire on a marked patrol car with an officer inside early Monday and then led police on a foot chase for several blocks, authorities said.
Prosecutors say officers in separate, marked patrol cars encountered an armed Robert Leonardis near Newman Street and Russell Place in Hackensack around 1:15 a.m. Leonardis allegedly opened fire on the first patrol car, and one of the bullets nearly hit the officer when it shattered the window, officials said.
The second patrol car smashed into the rear of the one that had been fired upon, but both officers were able to get out of their vehicles and return fire at Leonardis, according to prosecutors.
Leonardis started running and the two officers chased him down First Street, where two other officers joined in the pursuit. All four officers fired at the suspect, who was hit multiple times, prosecutors said.
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Leonardis was taken to the hospital in critical condition. A .45 caliber handgun was recovered at the scene.
It wasn't clear what provoked the first shots allegedly fired by Leonardis.
