Three New Jersey police officers shot; gunman reported dead

Three New Jersey police officers shot; gunman reported dead

Related News

• New York gunman left note declaring plan to kill peopleTue, Dec 25 2012
• Ambushed NY firemen shot dead; 2 police killed elsewhereMon, Dec 24 2012
• Four dead, three police hurt in Pennsylvania shootingsSat, Dec 22 2012
• NRA calls for armed school guards as U.S. mourns massacreSat, Dec 22 2012
• Gun group NRA calls for armed guards at all schoolsFri, Dec 21 2012
  
  Fri Dec 28, 2012 10:33am EST
  
  (Reuters) - Three New Jersey police officers were shot early on Friday at their police station, and one was in surgery for his wounds, a hospital official said.

The suspected gunman, who had been brought to the Gloucester Township Police station for a domestic incident, was killed in the exchange of gunfire, local TV reported, citing police officials.

Gloucester is in central New Jersey about 16 miles outside of Philadelphia.

"A violent struggle occurred while the suspect was being processed," Gloucester Deputy Police Chief David Harkins said, according to Philadelphia TV station NBC10. The man was able to grab a gun and then opened fire.

The gunman was killed by police during the confrontation, Gloucester Police Chief W. Harry Earle said, according to the NBC10 report.

Gloucester Township Police declined to comment on the incident or to confirm the NBC10 report. An officer answering the phone said a press statement would be issued later in the day and a press conference was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

The three wounded police officers, two men and a woman, were brought to Cooper University Hospital shortly after 6 a.m. EST (1100 GMT), hospital spokeswoman Lori Shaffer said.

Two of the officers suffered minor wounds, but one of the three, a male, required surgery, Shaffer said. She had no more information on the extent of the officer's wounds.

The incident follows several recent multiple shootings in the United States, and comes two weeks after a gunman killed 26 people, including 20 children, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

One week ago in western Pennsylvania, a man with a pistol fatally shot three people and then opened fire on police. Three officers were injured in that incident, one in a collision from a car chase with the gunman, another from bullet fragments to the face and a third who was struck with gunfire to the chest but survived because he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/12/28/us-usa-shooting-newjersey-idUSBRE8BR09W20121228

Cops Shot, Corrections Worker Dead in NJ Police Station Shootout

By CHRISTINA NG (@ChristinaNg27)
Dec. 28, 2012

The man who "unleashed a barrage of gunfire" on three police officers this morning in New Jersey was an employee of the New Jersey Department of Corrections who had been arrested for allegedly stalking his ex-girlfriend's home.

The suspect was shot dead in the police station. Three police officers also were shot but are expected to make full recoveries.

Eddie Jones III, 39, of Willingboro, N.J., was arrested around 1 a.m., when he was found allegedly stalking the home of his former girlfriend. Jones was employed by the Department of Corrections as a civilian communications officer, not a sworn corrections officer, police said.

Jones was then transported to the Gloucester Township Police Department for processing related to his charges.

"As part of standard processing, the handcuffs were removed from Mr. Jones and he then suddenly attacked the officer, tackling her to the ground, striking her upon the head and removing her department-issued firearm from her holster,"

Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said at a news conference today.
When the officer, identified as Ruth Burns, called for help, Sgt. James Garber and Sgt. Kevin Thyne, who were right outside the room, rushed in to help.

http://a.abcnews.com/images/US/ht_nj..._121228_wg.jpg
Gloucester Township Police Dept.
Sgt. Kevin Thyne, Officer Ruth Burns and Sgt....

Sgt. Kevin Thyne, Officer Ruth Burns and Sgt. James Garber were injured when suspect Eddie Jones III attacked and disarmed Burns in Gloucester Township, N.J., on Dec. 28, 2012.

Jones opened fire on the two officers and they returned fire, Earle said. The officers were armed with 40-caliber Sig Sauers.

Thyne was shot in his duty belt, which caused a laceration on his stomach, and a suffered a graze wound to his chin. Burns was shot in the foot. Garber was shot multiple times, including in the chest and abdomen. He also suffered a graze wound to his head.

Jones was "shot multiple times by police" and was pronounced dead at the scene, Earle said.

Thyne and Burns have been treated and released from Cooper Hospital. Garber underwent surgery and is in stable condition.

"I am so proud of the actions of these officers as they placed themselves in harm's way to save the lives of their fellow officers, police dispatchers and our community members during the suspect's escape attempt," Earle said.

When asked whether the officers' actions would be regarded as self defense, Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk said at the news conference, "At this point, all the evidence points towards these officers returning fire."

The incident is being investigated jointly by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office and the Gloucester Township Police Investigations Bureau.

All three officers are on administrative lead, which is standard procedure for police involved in shootings.

"This morning, the reality of a cruel world fell upon our doorsteps," Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer said at the news conference. "Today, our community experienced an unprovoked violent act against those who serve and protect the residents of Gloucester Township."

Police operations continued as normal in the township of 64,000 located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia.

"These guardians in blue leave their families, they leave their homes to protect our families and our homes," Mayer said. "So today, we are there for them and for their families."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/jersey-police-station-shootout-suspect-department-corrections-employee/story?id=18082491