Newark Cop Shot and Killed His Estranged Wife in Jefferson, Authorities Say

JEFFERSON  — Authorities say an off-duty Newark police officer shot and killed his estranged wife and wounded her boyfriend at a northern New Jersey home.

Essex County prosecutors say Newark police Lt. John Formisano was arrested early Monday at his parents' home in Livingston, not long after the shooting occurred in Jefferson. The 49-year-old Formisano is a 24-year veteran of the force.

An Associated Press report citing the Essex County office described the alleged victim as Formisano's ex-wife. Several other news reports citing unnamed police sources have described her as his estranged wife.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office referred further questions by the Townsquare News Network to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, since the incident happened in Jefferson.

On Facebook and in a news release, the Morris County office acknowledged one person had been killed in a Jefferson incident. It said Jefferson police had responded at 11:21 p.m. Sunday night on a report of shots fired.

"An adult male also sustained serious injury during this incident. At this time, the identities of these individuals will not be released," the Morris County office said.

Jefferson police said the incident took place in the township's White Rock section and there was no danger to the public, according to a post on the department's Facebook page.

Police sources told NBC News 4 two children were in the house at the time but unharmed, the station reported.

A Newark police public information officer told the Townsquare News Network Formisano is a lieutenant with the department, and has been immediately suspended without pay. His salary $116,572, according to public records. The Newark spokeswoman referred other questions to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, as it is handling the investigation.

A message for the Morris County Prosecutor's Office was not immediately returned.