April 17, 2016
The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office has launched an investigation into an officer-involved shooting Sunday morning that left one robbery suspect dead as authorities search for a second suspect still at large.
According to the prosecutor's office, the incident occurred around 1 a.m. after Vineland police officers responded to a report of a robbery in the area of 7th and Cherry streets. At the scene, police found a victim who was later flown to Atlantic City Medical Center and listed in stable condition.
Officers encountered two suspects in the area of East Avenue and Almond Street, where a foot pursuit led to an exchange of gunfire and one of the assailants was fatally shot. He was pronounced dead at Inspira Medical Center.
An initial report said that the suspect, identified only as a black male, allegedly fired the first shot at police, who then returned fire. A gun was found in the vicinity of the suspect's body. An autopsy is pending.
The second suspect, also believed to be a black male, was described as wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt at the time of the incident. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Pursuant to Attorney General guideline 2006-5, the Vineland Police Department has been walled off from the investigation, which will be handled by the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.
