Authorities say a suspect is in custody following an armed standoff in Newark that lasted more than 31 hours.

The incident began when detectives from the Essex County Narcotics Task Force were executing a warrant before 6 a.m. Thursday at a home on Clinton Place, according to a release from acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II. The search warrants were being executed as part of an ongoing narcotics investigation that began in May.

That's when someone in the residence allegedly opened fire at law enforcement. 

The officers evacuated residents in other apartments and surrounding homes, and then began "constant communications" with the suspect in the residence, urging him to surrender, officials say. The suspect has been identified as Hassan Grimsley, 42.

Authorities say that in addition to law enforcement officials, mental health professionals, friends, family members and neighbors tried to convince Grimsley, who allegedly had numerous guns, to leave the home.

Shortly before 1 p.m. today, officers engaged the suspect initially utilizing less lethal force and were met with deadly force from Grimsley, who allegedly shot at the officers. The officers returned fire, hitting Grimsley.

Grimsley was taken to University Hospital, where his condition is unknown at this time.

None of the officers were injured, and no civilian injuries were reported.

“I am confident that everything possible was done to bring this situation to a non-fatal conclusion,’’ said Stephens. “This was done despite the stated wishes of the suspect that the police kill him because he was not going back to jail.”