2 Cumberland County men arrested after shooting of AC police officer
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- Two Cumberland County men have been arrested after a shooting that left one man dead and critically injured an Atlantic City police officer.
Nineteen-year-old Martell Chisholm of Millville and 28-year-old Demetrius Cross of Bridgeton have been charged with two counts of attempted murder in the 1st degree, three counts of robbery in the 1st degree and related offenses.
Family members have identified the deceased as 25-year-old Jerome Damon of Camden.
The incident happened around 2:30 a.m. Saturday outside the Caesars Atlantic City parking garage, located on Arkansas Avenue, when officers were on routine patrol.
Two officers observed a robbery in progress, according to Diane Ruberton, the Acting Atlantic County Prosecutor.
The officers observed six males.
As one officer exited the vehicle, police say he was shot and critically injured.
The second officer fired back, striking Damon.
The other persons involved in the robbery fled the scene.
Damon was located about a block and a half away on Missouri and Pacific avenues. He had collapsed and died at the scene.
The injured officer was taken to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery. He is listed in critical condition.
Officers in SWAT gear patrolled the area, and protected the scene with guns drawn.
Mayor Don Guardian said hundreds of officers responded to the scene.
"I'm also very grateful for all of the police officers we have scouring the city. And we are doing everything we can to provide safety for our residents and visitors," said Mayor Guardian.
All five persons of interest sought by police have been located and identified.
An investigation later revealed three of the men had been victims of an armed robbery by Damon, Chisholm and Cross.
The three robbery victims have been questioned and released.
Chisholm and Cross were taken into police custody without incident.
The prosecutor's office has not said which of the suspects actually fired the gun.
Damon had previously served time in prison for aggravated assault. Despite that, those who love him don't believe he's the one who pulled the trigger.
"He's not a person who's shooting at a cop. That's the person I know he's not," said Latonya Damon, mother.
LaTonya Damon says she doesn't know if her son carried a gun.
"I don't know nothing about that. I'm not going to lie on this to nobody. Because I don't know. But what I do know is my son is dead and I want some answers," said LaTonya Damon.
Police have not released the identity of the injured officer.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office or Atlantic City Police.
