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Nov. 09--PATERSON, N.J. -- Cops arrested a man early Wednesday in connection to the shooting death of a New Jersey detective. The arrest was made in Philadelphia.
The man's arrest comes after police released images Tuesday of two men that the authorities called 'persons of interest' in the killing of 32-year-old Newark Det. Michael Morgan. Police also released images of the car connected with the crime.
No further details about the arrest were immediately available.
The gunman is wanted in the killing of Morgan, who was fatally shot when he tried to stop an attempted robbery in Paterson, New Jersey early Monday.
According to police, Morgan and a group of friends spent part of the night at a Sunrise Gentleman's Club, located at 556 Straight Street near Getty Avenue in Paterson, to celebrate a friend's birthday.
Witnesses say the group left the club at about 3 a.m. and that Morgan had stopped to talk to one of the dancers when the gunman grabbed the woman's purse.
Paterson Police Director Glenn Brown says they believe a struggle ensued and the officer was shot in his side.
"We had officers in the area investigating another reported robbery about three blocks away when we got a call for an officer shot," Brown told PIX11 News. "We responded and when our officers arrived they found the Newark officer laying in the street with a single gunshot wound to his side."
The wounded officer was put into the rear of a squad car and driven to the emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital, which is less than a block from the scene of the shooting.
Morgan was pronunced dead at the hospital.
"It is with deep sadness that the Newark Police Department announces the death of 6 1/2 year veteran Detective Michael Morgan," said Newark Police Director Samuel DeMaio. "The Police Department extends its heart felt condolences to the family of the 32-year-old detective."
During the early morning hours of Monday, police searched for clues and the shooter. He is described as a tall black male who was wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and carried a silver handgun.
No arrests have been made and investigators are reviewing surveillance video for images of the suspect.
At the scene, officers from both Newark and Paterson said the death of the officer, who was single, was like the death of a family member.
"Our condolences go out to the family of Detective Michael Morgan. Detective Morgan was a proud and courageous servant of our city," said Newark Mayor Cory Booker. "His loss is tragic, and the circumstances of his death make it all the more painful. Our prayers are with his family and all who knew and loved this great man."
There is a $25,000 reward available for information leading to the arrest of Morgan's killer.
