A New Jersey mother of two has been charged after allegedly shooting an officer in Montclair on Monday during a standoff with police, authorities said.
The shooting occurred around 1:10 p.m. when officers responded to reports of an armed person on the 100 block of Forest Street.
As they approached the residence, a suspect inside — later identified as Maryann Swain — shot at police, striking officer Michael Medrano in the shoulder, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
“She came out with a shotgun, saying this is her [expletive] territory,” a witness told ABC 7.
Another officer fired back, hitting the suspect.
Officer Medrano, 33, and Swain, 39, were both taken to University Hospital in Newark with non-life-threatening injuries. Medrano has since been released while Swain remains hospitalized.
According to witnesses, Swain moved into the neighborhood roughly six months ago and is the mother of two young children. Her kids were reportedly there when the shooting took place, ABC 7 reported.
Swain has since been charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, the prosecutor’s office said.
“Tammy and I are praying for the officer in Montclair who was shot earlier today,” New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement shared on social media Monday afternoon. “Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”
State Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office is “coordinating with law enforcement and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure a thorough investigation.”
