Two Cumberland County men were arrested today in connection with a shooting early this morning in Atlantic City that resulted in the death of one man, and the shooting and hospitalization of an Atlantic City Police Officer, Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Diane Ruberton announced.
Investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and assisting agencies revealed that on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 2:34 a.m., two uniformed Atlantic City police officers on patrol observed a robbery in progress being committed near the Caesars Atlantic City parking garage on Arkansas Avenue.
The officers observed a group of 6 males. As one Atlantic City police officer exited the vehicle he was shot and injured.
The second police officer returned fire, hitting one suspect, who fled the scene. All other persons involved in the robbery also fled the scene in different directions.
The suspect who had been shot was located approximately 11⁄2 blocks away, on Missouri and Pacific Avenues, collapsed and deceased.
The police officer was treated at the scene by responding emergency medical personnel, and transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Division, where he remains, in critical condition.
All 5 persons of interest sought by law enforcement have been located and identified.
The investigation revealed that 3 of the men had been victims of an armed robbery committed by the other three men: the deceased man, and two others.
The 3 robbery victims cooperated with police, and have been released, no longer detained for investigation by police.
The 3 suspects have also been identified.
The deceased man has been identified as Jerome Damon, 25, of Camden, NJ.
Jerome Damon’s next-of-kin have been notified. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow. Two (2) other men are now in police custody:
* Martell Chisholm, 19, of Millville, NJ, and
* Demetrius Cross, 28, of Bridgeton, NJ.
New Jersey State Police arrested Chisholm in Bridgeton, NJ, and Cross in Millville, NJ; Both arrests were effected without incident, and the men were transferred to the custody of the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Chisholm and Cross are charged with:
* 2 counts of Attempted Murder (of the two police officers)—a crime of the 1st degree,
* 3 counts of Robbery—a 1st degree crime,
* 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery—1st degree,
* 2 counts of Possession of a Weapon (Firearm) for an Unlawful Purpose—2nd
degree, and
* 2 counts of Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful
Purpose—a 2nd degree crime.
The potential penalty for a conviction of a 1st degree crime is 10-20 years of incarceration in New Jersey State Prison. The potential penalty for a conviction of a 2nd degree crime is 5-10 years in prison.
Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Ruberton said, “These charges are the result of an unprecedented effort by law enforcement from local, county, state and federal agencies who worked tirelessly throughout the day to identify and locate the suspects.
As per Attorney General directive, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office led the officer involved shooting investigation.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office along with the Atlantic City Police Department, the New Jersey State Police, the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, the Atlantic City Task Force, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and law enforcement partners in Cumberland County, coordinated investigative efforts with assistance from the public to locate and apprehend the suspects.”
* Anyone with information about this incident is urged to call the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (609) 909-7666, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-658-TIPS (8477), the anonymous (confidential) tip line 652-1234, or text TIPCOP plus your tip to 274637.
The New Jersey COP SHOT Program has posted a reward $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for shooting the officer.