The 19-year-old from Manville is listed in critical condition at a local trauma center.
MANVILLE -- A 19-year-old borough man shot by an off-duty cop as he burglarized the officer's home early Monday morning is in critical condition at a local hospital, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.
Tyreek Cook (Somerset County Prosecutor's Office)Tyreek Cook was shot in the chest during a struggle with the officer, Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said in a news release Monday.
The officer, whose name has been withheld, immediately began life-saving medical aid to Cook, who was taken to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick.
The officer was also taken to a local hospital for injuries and traumatic stress suffered during the incident, according to the release.
At approximately 12:07 a.m., a 911 call was received by the Somerset County Communications Center reporting a burglary in progress at a North 5th Avenue residence in Manville, the release said.
After they arrived, the officers discovered Cook inside the house suffering from a gunshot wound, police said.
Cook has been charged with third-degree burglary and is listed in critical condition under police guard at the trauma center, police said.
Robertson said a preliminary investigation revealed that Cook is suspected of committing and attempting to commit numerous residential and vehicle burglaries in the area. However, he has not been charged in any other crimes, police said.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this incident or recent residential or vehicle burglaries within the Manville area to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, the Manville Police Department at 908-725-1900 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-8477 or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either "Crime Stoppers" or "TIPS HOTLINE".
All anonymous Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
Robertson said detectives from the Manville Police Department, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics Unit assisted in the investigation.
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