Alleged Burglar Shot By Off-Duty Township Police Officer In His Home

Tyree Cook. Photo: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

MANVILLE – A borough man suspected of a number of burglaries is in critical condition after being shot by a Franklin Township police officer after allegedly breaking into the officer’s home here.

Tyreek Cook, 19, was shot by the off-duty officer shortly after midnight on March 20 after Cook was confronted by the officer in the latter’s home, according to a press release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

The press release did not identify the officer’s department; a person with knowledge of the investigation confirmed to the Franklin Reporter & Advocate that the officer is a member of the FTPD.

According to the release, the Somerset County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call at about 12:07 a.m. reporting a burglary in progress at a North 5th Avenue home in Manville.

When Manville officers arrived, according to the release, they found the man later identified as Cook in a physical confrontation with the homeowner, and suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest.

The off-duty officer and Manville police initiated life-saving measures on Cook, according to the release, after which he was transported to an unnamed local trauma center for treatment.

The homeowner was also transported to a local hospital for examination of injuries sustained during the physical encounter with Cook and traumatic stress-related physical conditions, according to the release.

The investigation revealed that Cook is suspected of committing and attempting to commit numerous residential and car burglaries in the area, according to the release. The investigation into his activity is ongoing, according to the release.

Cook has been charged with 3rd Degree Burglary, the release said.

Detectives from the Manville Police Department, along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and the Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics Unit responded to the scene to conduct the investigation, according to the release..

Authorities ask that anyone with information regarding this incident or recent residential or vehicle burglaries within the Manville area to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100, the Manville Police Department (908) 725-1900 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All anonymous  Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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