A man accused in the shooting death of a Newark police officer is facing additional charges.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carol A. Murray said Saturday that 19-year-old Rasul McNeill-Thomas, is now charged with first-degree murder in the death of Officer William Johnson.
Johnson, a 16 year veteran, was killed in a drive-by shooting while he was buying a slice of pizza at a fast food restaurant Thursday night.
McNeil-Thomas was arrested at his home in Newark on Friday and is also accused of carjacking the vehicle used in the attack. His bail was raised to $1.5 million, up from $300,000 Friday. It wasn’t clear whether he had an attorney.
A second suspect who is believed to be the shooter, remains at large.
The vehicle from which the shots came sped off immediately, authorities said. Acting Police Director Samuel DeMaio said there were multiple shots fired; he didn’t provide an exact number but said it was fewer than 10. Details on a possible weapon used were not immediately released.
Surveillance video showed Johnson was standing at the counter, waiting for his food when the shooting occurred, according to DeMaio.
Police say there were more people in the fast-food place than the three who were shot, and one of them may have been the intended target.
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