Atlantic City police officer shot outside casino off ventilator, talking

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- An Atlantic City officer shot outside a casino is now sitting up and talking, the police department said Thursday.

Police say 29-year-old Officer Joshlee Vadell's ventilator has been removed as he continues to recover from the shooting.

"His family thanks everyone for their support," the Atlantic City Police Department said in a Facebook post.

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 Officer Vadell exited his vehicle, police say he was shot and critically injured.

The second officer fired back, striking 25-year-old Jerome Damon of Camden.

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.

Vadell was taken to Atlanticare Regional Medical Center where he underwent surgery.

Vadell has been with the police department for nine years.

All five persons of interest sought by police were located and identified.

19-year-old Martell Chisholm of Millville and 28-year-old Demetrius Cross of Bridgeton were charged with two counts of attempted murder in the 1st degree, three counts of robbery in the 1st degree and related offenses.

An investigation later revealed three of the men had been victims of an armed robbery by Damon, Chisholm and Cross.

The three robbery victims were questioned and released.