Shooting Victim Arrested After Allegedly Lying to Police

A 39-year-old city man was arrested Monday after he reportedly lied to police about shooting himself in the leg. 

While being treated at East Orange Hospital Monday night, Earl Cohen allegedly told police he had been shot at South Orange and Sandford avenues. After Newark police began investigating, however, they concluded Cohen had actually shot himself at his Rockland Terrace home and arrested him after his release from the hospital. 

“There was no physical evidence at the scene, no witness, and nothing was received by our gunshot detection system,” said Detective Todd McClendon of the Newark Police Department.

During the investigation, police recovered a 40-caliber handgun and illegal hollow point bullets. Cohen, who has an extensive record of convictions and arrests that include charges for narcotics violations and murder, was charged with hindering prosecution and weapons offenses.