ABSECON, NJ – Absecon police shot a suspect who pulled a gun on them while responding to a report of an armed individual in the Absecon Dollar General Store on Tuesday.
According to police, the suspect, Jalial Whitted, 37 of Absecon, NJ was located inside the store by police and ordered to exit the store. Once outside the store, Whitted refused the police officer’s commands and reached for a weapon that was located in his front pocket. At approximately 9:40 am, the suspect was shot by law enforcement during an attempt to apprehend him. A loaded firearm was recovered from the suspect by police at the scene.
“A subsequent review of store video surveillance revealed that Whitted produced a firearm in the presence of store employees, causing the employees to flee the store and while still in the store, Whitted discharged at least one round,” police said. “The injured suspect was taken into police custody, provided medical care and transported to AtlantiCare Medical, City Campus Trauma Center for his injuries. The suspect remains in police custody and is currently listed in stable condition.”
As per New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines, the Division of Criminal Justice was notified. The DCJ has designated the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit as the Independent Investigative Unit for the shooting with the AG’s Office of Public Integrity & Accountability acting as the Independent Supervisory Reviewer.