Atlantic City police officer Christian Ivanov released from hospital 2 weeks after double shooting

More than two weeks after he was injured in a shooting, an Atlantic City police SWAT officer has been released from the hospital.

Sgt. Christian Ivanov, a member of the Atlantic City Police Department's SWAT team, was one of two officers shot while serving a warrant the afternoon of June 2, 2026.

According to Atlantic City police, Ivanov sustained life-threatening injuries in the shooting, while the other officer was released the next day.

The father of three exited AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Thursday morning to applause from local officers and an escort from the honor guard.

"I mean, this was a day that we were hoping to get here," Atlantic City Police Department Chief James Sarkos said.

Ivanov and the other officer, Robert Reynolds, were serving the search warrant in the 100 block of North Florida Avenue when both were struck by gunfire. Mayor Marty Small Sr. said 52-year-old Donald Gardner shot at the officers, hitting one near his head and said that officer was lucky to be wearing a helmet.

According to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, Reynolds then shot Gardner, who's also known as Donald Capriotti.

Ivanov was taken to the intensive care unit and was in "stable but serious" condition after the shooting.

Dr. Kelly Willman, who treated Ivanov, said he's like "Iron Man" for recovering as fast as he did. 

"The fact that he has recovered as quickly as he has and looks this good, and he really has the fighter spirit," she said. "It's a true testament to his strength and the man he is."

Josh Vandall, an Atlantic City Police Department veteran, was in the crowd as Ivanov was released. He was shot in the head in 2016 and rushed to the same trauma center.

"I just remember the feelings I felt leaving here and having all the support," Vandall said. "I can kind of understand what he is going through, and seeing his wife break down when he walked out brought me right back to where I was."