July 30, 2016
A South Jersey man was shot by police officers who were sent to the wrong location to respond to a 911 call.
New Jersey State Police said the incident occurred Friday night in Upper Deerfield Township in Cumberland County.
Upper Deerfield: Troopers exchanged gunfire w/ subject outside home after 911 call. Subject struck and being treated, troopers not hit.
— NJSP - State Police (@NJSP) July 30, 2016
Authorities say a 911 call was placed from a cell phone, but the caller hung up without talking to the dispatcher, according to NJ.com.
The call was traced and state troopers were sent to the 300 block of Centerton Road where the call was believed to have originated to check on the well-being of the caller.
When troopers arrived and shined flashlights into the residence, gunfire erupted.
The state Attorney General's Office said one trooper fired four shots from his service gun and 76-year-old Gerald Sykes fired one shot from a shotgun, according to FOX29.
It is unclear who fired first.
Sykes was struck at least once and one trooper suffered a graze wound either from the shotgun blast or from flying glass.
Sykes was transported to a local hospital where he is listed in critical but stable condition. Both troopers were also treated and released.
Investigators later determined the location of the 911 call was incorrect.
An investigation is ongoing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
