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Autopsy: Newark Teen In Carjack Attempt Died From Gunshot Wound

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Prosecutors say a northern New Jersey teenager who died after attempting to carjack an off-duty Newark police officer was killed by a gunshot wound sustained during a shootout with the officer, not by a subsequent car crash.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray says an autopsy has determined that 17-year-old Vincent Owens, of Newark, died from a bullet wound to the chest fired by the unidentified off-duty officer.

Murray says the officer was confronted around 5:15 a.m. Saturday in the city's Vailsburg section by Owens and the two exchanged gunshots.

Owens was struck before he got into a waiting stolen getaway car vehicle with several other people inside, according to Murray. The car soon crashed and Owens was ejected, dying a short time later at a hospital.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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