Man dead, officer recovering after shooting in Hamilton Township, New Jersey
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (CBS) -- A man was pronounced dead at the scene and a Hamilton police officer is recovering after being shot multiple times in the line of duty while responding to a domestic incident in Hamilton Township Friday night.
In a social media update Saturday afternoon, the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association said the Hamilton Police Division officer is "resting comfortably and has been up and talking today." The union did not identify the officer involved.
Friday night, the Mercer County Prosecutor's office confirmed to CBS Philadelphia that an officer was taken to the hospital after responding to the 1800 block of Orchard Avenue.
In a series of posts on social media early Saturday, Hamilton Police said a man fired at officers as they responded to the call at around 10 p.m.
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office said Saturday afternoon the man was armed with a rifle during the shooting and exchanged gunfire with two officers.
According to the Attorney General's Office, the man was shot and killed during the incident. Officials recovered a gun at the scene near the man.
Hamilton Township Mayor Jeff Martin said one of the officers was shot near his hip and left arm. Hamilton police said early Saturday morning, the injured officer was taken to the Capital Health-Fuld and "expected to survive."
"We were laying in bed sleeping and we started hearing gunshots," neighbor Elizabeth Juliff told CBS Philadelphia. "And my husband thought it was one of those cars going by, and I said 'No.' And then our son was at the stop sign and pretty much saw the whole thing."
A neighbor also told reporters they saw police shooting into the involved house from outside.
Mayor Martin spoke about how the incident is impacting the community and the family of the man who died.
"So much of this is a cycle of trauma," Martin said. "You've got now the deceased who had two children. And you hope the trauma they experience doesn't carry on to their future and for others who may be involved."
As of now, officials are not sure when the officer will be released from the hospital.
The Attorney General's Office is investigating the incident.
