The mayor of Roselle has found himself in the middle of a controversial police shooting that occurred Friday night.

Mayor Garrett Smith says he knows the officer whose gun was fired and the teen that was shot. The incident occurred Friday when Roselle police responded to complaints of possible drug activity on West 2nd Street. According to police, 16-year-old Marquise Randle was shot in the stomach when Officer Craig Howlett?s gun went off. Police say the shot was an accidental discharge of an officer?s weapon.

Smith says he is the one who swore in Howlett. The mayor says Howlett is a good person and a good officer. Smith also says he coached Randle in a recreational basketball league.

?He?s a good kid. We never had any issue with him or any problem with him when he was involved in our recreation basketball program,? Smith said of Randle.

Smith says he will meet with Randle and his parents Tuesday about the incident. Meanwhile, Howlett has been placed on paid medical leave while the Union County prosecutor investigates the shooting.

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