Newark police lieutenant accused of killing ex-wife, wounding man

An off-duty Newark police lieutenant is accused of killing his ex-wife and wounding another man in Morris County.

News 12 Staff

Jul 15, 2019, 2:29 PM

Updated 1,743 days ago

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An off-duty Newark police lieutenant is accused of killing his ex-wife and wounding another man in Morris County.
The county prosecutor says that Newark police Lt. John Formisano, 49, is accused of killing his estranged wife, identified as 37-year-old Christine Formisano. Lt. Formisano is also accused of shooting a 40-year-old man multiple times. That man was not identified.
The shooting happened Sunday around 11:20 p.m. outside a home on Mirror Place. Authorities say police officers responded to reports of a women’s body lying on the front porch steps of the home.
Lt. Formisano was arrested several hours later, in a parking lot in Livingston. It is believed that Lt. Formisano’s parents live in the town. Officials say that the gun believed to have used in the killing was found inside of Lt. Formisano’s vehicle.
The Formisanos’ children were home at the time of the incident, but were not hurt.
Lt. Formisano faces murder, attempted murder and endangering the welfare of a child, among other charges.
Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose released a statement following the arrest.
“The Newark Public Safety Department is deeply saddened by the family tragedy involving Newark Police Lt. John Formisano. Our foremost concern, of course, is for the couple’s two children who have lost their mother and for the family of the victim," Ambrose said.
The statement continued, “Lt. Formisano’s colleagues in our police division were shocked by the news of the shooting and we recognize it this is a tragedy beyond comprehension for all involved.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200 or the Jefferson Township Police Department at 973-697-1300.


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