Rashid Jihad Jones, 25, swung the bat "in a threatening manner" when three Vineland officers arrived at his apartment around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said.
Police say two officers fired when Jones advanced on them, repeatedly ignoring their orders to drop the bat. Neither police nor Webb-McRae would disclose how many shots were fired, how many struck Jones or where he was hit.
Jones was taken to South Jersey Healthcare-Regional Medical Center in Vineland, where he died later Tuesday.
After confronting Jones, the officers found 73-year-old Betty Buxton, who had been badly beaten, but further details were not disclosed. She was taken to the Cooper Trauma Center in Camden, where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Webb-McRae said two officers - Capt. Rudy Beu, a 28-year veteran of the force, and Patrolman John Calio, a 5-year veteran - are believed to have shot Jones. They and the third officer - Patrolman Ryan Watkins, who joined the force a year ago - have all been placed on administrative leave with pay.
The prosecutor's office will review the incident, which is standard policy for police-involved shootings.
It was not clear what sparked the beating, authorities said. They said the 911 call was made by an unidentified male, but would not disclose further details.
