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Pit Bull Wounded During Newark Drug Bust: Essex Sheriff

A Newark police officer assisting in an arrest by the Essex County Sheriff's Office was forced to fire on a dog last week after its owner ordered the animal to attack, Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. 

Essex sheriff's officers raided a home on this Newark street and found a large quantity of drugs, the sheriff's office said

Essex sheriff's officers raided a home on this Newark street and found a large quantity of drugs, the sheriff's office said

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The sheriff's Bureau of Narcotics carried out a raid at 25 Chelsea Ave. Thursday night after receiving a tip about drug dealing in the area, Fontoura said. 

A suspect, 26-year-old Shareem Williams, was sitting outside the address and hid about 34 grams of marijuana in his jacket pocket when officers approached, drugs which were later recovered during a search, Fontoura said. 

As officers arrested Williams, another man, 39-year-old Shawn WIlliams, stood nearby holding a pit bull on a leash. Williams was told to secure the dog  and show both hands, but instead went into the home, Fontoura said. 

Officers picked the front door lock and followed Williams inside, where Williams again defied orders to secure the dog. Williams instead cursed and ordered the dog to "get 'em" before letting the dog off its leash, according to Fontoura. 

When the dog charged at the officers, one of them opened fire, injuring the animal. The dog was later treated for its injuries, Fontoura said. Officers then searched the home. 

“Once the pit bull was safely from the area, officers approached Shawn Williams and began to place him under arrest. With both Shawn and Shareem Williams secured, officers began a search of the residence,” Fontoura said. 

“Inside of the residence, officers located several caches of illegal narcotics, narcotics producing paraphernalia and illegal narcotic proceeds. In total, our team recovered more than $9,000 worth of marijuana, heroin, crack cocaine and painkillers.”

Shareem Williams was charged with offenses including possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and distribution on or around school property and possession of drug paraphernalia and distribution on or around public property. 

Shawn Williams was charged with offenses including resisting arrest, tampering with evidence, possession of a weapon (the pit bull), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance. 

Shareem Williams was being held at the Essex County jail. Shawn Williams was slated to be taken to jail following a medical evaluation at University Hospital. 

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