Authorities released body camera footage of fatal police involved shooting following a stabbing of an officer.
According to officials, on the evening of June 22nd, Atlantic City Police Officers responded to the 600 block of N. Kentucky Avenue, Atlantic City, for a hit and run traffic crash with injuries.
During the investigation, an uninvolved adult male, Timothy Deal, 32, of Atlantic City, approached the scene. In an unprovoked attack, Deal subsequently stabbed an Atlantic City police officer in the torso with a knife.
https://youtu.be/tphB2S973Co
A preliminary investigation reveals the injured officer discharged his weapon striking Deal, ending the threat. The injured officer and Deal were transported to the AtlantiCare Medical Center City Campus Trauma Center. Deal was pronounced dead at the Trauma Center. The injured officer was treated and released.
https://youtu.be/uNDPcKxKLR4
The Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy of Deal and results determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation is on-going to include, but not limited to, submission of evidence to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Laboratory.
As per New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines, the Division of Criminal Justice was notified and the Atlantic County Major Crimes Unit is conducting the investigation without the participation of the Atlantic City Police Department.
These videos include body camera footage from Atlantic City Police officers who were at the scene on June 22, 2018.
“The death of Timothy Deal, while tragic, was in response to his unprovoked attack on a police officer with a knife. The unfortunate circumstances, where unarmed individuals have been assaulted and in some instances killed, that have occurred throughout the United States should not be compared to this matter. Each incident has its own set of facts and must be investigated separately.
We must not lose sight of the fact that a sworn police officer reported to the scene of an accident to protect the public, and was attacked for no apparent reason.
The officer defended himself and protected the public from untold harm. This incident reminds us of how fragile life can be and we should all be thankful that no innocent bystanders were injured,” said Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.
People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.