Off duty NJ cop involved in road rage shooting

[MD_Vet]

Sounds bad for the officer...right? Well, I heard an interview on the radio today and here's how the people (fellow officers and friends of the shooter) on the show says it happened.

The officer angered the victim when he supposedly cut him off.

Victim pulled alongside and repeated accosted the officer's car shouting racial remarks and throwing something at (a bottle they think) and hitting the officer's car.

This went on for some time during which the officer held up his badge and told the victim to knock it off.

The officer decided to stop at an exit ramp to check his car for damages.

The victim pulled in front of the officer's car, got out with his buddy (both were big guys 200# +) and began to walk toward and threaten the officer.

Officer again identified himself as a cop and warned the victim several times. Victim continued to advance and threaten the officer.

Officer then shot the victim.


That's the essence of what I heard on the radio (Hannity) today. The officer is now out on 1 million $ bail awaiting a hearing.

Don't know about you folks but sounds like the man was defending himself and his family from a legitimate threat.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2013/06/...rage-shooting/

[downtownv]

I heard the interview as well and he had a lot more restraint than I would have had to large goons charging you on the side of the road and he still was issuing warnings after ID himself as a cop (With his wife and kids in the car). Game on; free fire time!
Why was he arrested? I didn't get that....

[MD_Vet]

Beats me too...guess because the "victim" was unarmed.

[deadeye]

The victim looks like it was the police office to me. Have to know a little more about it but at this time I don't blame the officer one bit. Where it happened could have something to do with it too.

[Allen]

I don't understand it either. Here in Oklahoma if you feel your life is in danger you're allowed to use deadly force to protect yourself. With 2 guys that big coming at me I can't imagine not being in fear of your life, but guess NJ has different opinions. Hope the cop comes out okay (but who could come up with that much of a bond.)

[JimC]

I don't understand it either. Here in Oklahoma if you feel your life is in danger you're allowed to use deadly force to protect yourself. With 2 guys that big coming at me I can't imagine not being in fear of your life, but guess NJ has different opinions. Hope the cop comes out okay (but who could come up with that much of a bond.)

The incident took place in MD, a very liberal anti-gun state.

I would guess he was carrying under HR 218...maybe the MD cops don't understand HR 218? Many don't...

I would further guess the MD cops made the arrest to cover their asses!

This incident is getting a lot of negative reviews on other forums from cop haters. Some have him serving time already.

One account that I read said he placed three shots in the BG @ 150'.

[Longitude Zero]

There are still a lot of unanswered question that need to be answered before I can make a complete decision one way or another. As an LEO of over 30 years experience there are 3 sides his, theres and the truth is somewhere in the middle.

Sadly I am aware of other "road rage" incidents in which the officer was 100% in the wrong.

[pappy42]

Yep, facts come out during the investigation. No need to injure one's self jumping to conclusions based on media reports.