An off-duty veteran Newark police officer who was shot as he was ordering a slice of pizza inside a restaurant in the city’s South Ward has died, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Two other people — a man and a woman — were also shot during the incident, which occurred around 9:45 p.m. at the Texas Fried Chicken and Pizza restaurant on Lyons Avenue, Mayor Cory Booker said during a press conference about two blocks from the site of the shootings.

The officer died at UMDNJ University Hospital in Newark. A $10,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the shooter.

A car pulled up to the front of the restaurant and shots were fired from inside the vehicle, which then sped away, said acting police director Samuel DeMaio.

The unidentified officer and the two others inside the restaurant were shot. The 45-year-old officer, who joined the force in 1995, was taken to University Hospital, about two miles away, and rushed into surgery, Booker said.

Last night Booker said the officer, who has children, was in “grave” condition. The other two victims were in stable condition, the mayor said.

“We are hurt. We are angry and we will find who is responsible,” Booker said.

The assailant or assailants fled and a massive search was launched.

Several area residents said they heard between three and six rapid-fire shots.

When informed of the incident, Capt. John Chrystal, president of the Newark Superior Officers Association, called the attack “tragic,” but said he couldn’t comment further because he did not know all of the details.

Sgt. James Ryan of the state PBA said the organization was posting a $10,000 reward through its NJ COP SHOT program.

In January, Lakewood police officer Chris Matlosz was shot and killed by a man he approached while on routine patrol. Matlosz, 27, who had been on the force fewer than five years, was in his police cruiser talking to Jahmell Crockam, authorities said. Investigators said Crockam shot Matlosz three times at close range, striking the officer before he could even draw his sidearm.

An Ocean County grand jury indicted Crockam in March.

(Source: NJ Star Ledger)