Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced preliminary details of last night’s police involved shooting within the jurisdiction of Toms River. Preliminary details of the event are as follows:
Toms River Police received a 911 call reporting that a suspicious male armed with a gun was seen in the area of Sand Creek Lane in Toms River at approximately 6:44 pm on October 16th.
An additional 911 call was placed to the Toms River Police Department reporting that there were three suspicious males, one armed with a gun in the area of Sand Creek Lane. Members of the Toms River Police Department responded to the area of Sand Creek Lane and Christian Court. Upon their arrival the officers encountered a white male subject walking in the area of Sand Creek Lane and Christian Court.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that upon encountering the officers, the subject had his right hand hidden behind his back and began walking towards the officers. The officers gave repeated loud commands to the subject, ordering him to show them his hands and to put his hands in the air. The subject ignored the officer’s repeated commands. The subject quickly removed his right hand from behind his back and pointed a black object at the officers. The two initial responding officers fired a total of nine rounds striking the subject twice. The officers immediately rendered first aid to the subject who was subsequently transported to an area hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition. He is expected to survive.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the subject made a 911 call to the Toms River Police so they would respond and that the black object that he was hiding behind his back and pointed at the officers was found to be a black television remote control. The investigation revealed that subject was currently staying at an area Toms River motel. Preliminary investigation revealed that the subject removed the black television remote from his room at the area motel and ultimately utilized the remote control to feign the presence of a deadly weapon, during his confrontation with the officers.
As per the mandates and guidelines of the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office regarding police involved shootings, this investigation is being led by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit, and with the full cooperation of the Toms River Police Department.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will not be releasing the names of the officers or the subject who was injured during this incident at this time. As the investigation progresses additional information will be released in the form of a press release.
Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Detective Raymond Gardner or Detective Lindsay Woodfield of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 929-2027.