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UPDATE: Phillipsburg police officer and woman shot, suspect dead

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ (Warren County) – A Phillipsburg police officer was shot and wounded by a man who had just shot a woman in an apparent domestic violence incident, and the suspect is dead.

On April 8, at around 1:13 p.m., police received a report that a female had been shot by a black male wearing a red hat and blue jeans in the area of 10 Hanover Street in Phillipsburg, the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office said.

Police were dispatched and arrived at the scene at 1:16 p.m. Lt. Douglas Baylor, a twenty-four year veteran of the Phillipsburg Police Department arrived along with Officer Fielding, authorities said.

Immediately upon the officers arrival the suspect, who was identified as Alkabir I. Boone, 35, of 10 Hanover Street in Phillipsburg, opened fire on the police, the prosecutor’s office said.

Lt. Baylor suffered a gunshot wound to his leg specifically his thigh when one of the shots passed through the door of the police vehicle and struck him as he was exiting the vehicle, authorities said.

Officer Fielding attempted to return fire however his weapon malfunctioned, the prosecutor’s office said.

Boone then turned his gun on himself and took his own life, authorities said.

Lt. Baylor and the female victim were flown to St. Luke’s Hospital, Bethlehem. Lt. Baylor was treated and released later the same day, the prosecutor’s office said.

The female received three gunshot wounds and remains hospitalized and is in stable condition, authorities said.

Boone used an illegally possessed 9MM handgun during the shooting, authorities said.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Boone has multiple prior convictions including:

  • 2008 simple assault in Rahway
  • 2009 third-degree resisting arrest in Union County
  • 2010 second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun in Union County
  • 2014 third-degree conspiracy-manufacture/distribute CDS in Union County
  • 2022 resisting arrest in Phillipsburg

The shooting remains under investigation by the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office and anyone with information is urged to call 908-475-6275.

“We are so thankful our Phillipsburg officer has been released from the hospital. He continues his recovery at home. His actions of racing towards gunfire to stop the attack on the woman was heroic. The bravery displayed by him and his fellow officers represents the best of who we are. We continue to pray for the woman’s recovery. Thank you to the amazing care team at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem. Thank you also to all who reached out,” New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association said.

“Earlier today, a Phillipsburg Police Officer was shot and injured while responding to the scene of a domestic violence incident. One civilian was also injured. While the shooter is deceased, it is not believed at this time to be the result of police use of force. The Warren County Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident. Our thoughts are with both victims as they begin their physical and emotional recoveries. Domestic violence incidents are more likely to escalate when firearms are present. Approximately 1,000 women are killed each year by intimate partners, and two-thirds of them involve guns. I remain committed to getting guns out of homes and off our streets,” Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.

Governor Phil Murphy tweeted, “Our thoughts are with a Phillipsburg police officer who was shot in the line of duty today. We are praying for a full and speedy recovery.”

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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