By Justo Bautista
Passaic County Herald News
PATERSON, NJ — An off-duty Paterson police officer sprang from a barber’s chair on Wednesday when he spotted a man with a handgun on a city street and shot the man twice as he pulled the weapon from his waistband, authorities said.
Jermaine Eason, 21, of Paterson was removing the handgun from his pants when the officer took action, firing four rounds from his service weapon, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said.
Eason, who faces weapons charges, was hit twice, in the left shoulder and in the left bicep, and was being treated at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Valdes said. His injuries did not appear life-threatening.
The officer was not injured but was taken to the hospital as a precaution, Valdes said. Authorities did not release his name Wednesday.
The incident began around 2:20 p.m. when the officer was getting a haircut at a barbershop on Market Street. The officer saw Eason having a conversation on the street and spotted the handgun, Valdes said.
The officer left the barbershop and spoke with the man Eason had been speaking with. That person informed the officer that Eason, who was walking down the street, had a weapon in his possession, Valdes said.
The officer then got into his car to catch up to Eason, Valdes said. At Summer Street and Park Avenue, he displayed his badge and identified himself as an officer, Valdes said.
As Eason removed the handgun from his waistband, the officer fired four rounds, Valdes said.
No one else was hurt in the incident, the prosecutor said.
A C02 pellet gun modeled after a Glock 9mm handgun was recovered at the scene.
A ski-type mask and latex gloves also were recovered from Eason.
The Passaic County Sheriff’s Department blocked off the busy street corner with yellow tape Wednesday afternoon while investigators took pictures and gathered evidence.
Eason was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, Valdes said.
The incident was still under investigation late Wednesday.
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