UPDATE: The suspect shot by an Essex County Seriff's Undercover officer was pronounced dead last night at 9 p.m. He had been taken to University Hospital in Newark and was pronounced dead there at 9:00 p.m.
Georgia Man Shot by Sheriff's Detective Identified
Anthony Ambrose, Chief of Detectives for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office
has identified Defarra Ivan Gaymon,48 of Suwanee, Georgia as the person shot by
an Essex County Undercover Sheriff's Detective in Branch Brook Park, Newark
last evening.
The undercover Sheriff's Detective was in the area of the Park investigating
complaints of sexual activity occurring in public when the incident occurred.
It is unclear at this point what Gaymon was doing in the park and what exactly
transpired that caused the detective to shoot Gaymon. The detective was rushed
to the hospital right after the shooting and was medicated. Investigators from
the Prosecutor's Office were unable to interview the detective, but will attempt
to over the weekend or when the detective is capable.
Gaymon 's pickup truck was found parked by the scene of the shooting and
impounded by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. Gaymon was not in the vehicle
at the time of the shooting. Gaymon who was originally from Montclair, was in
New Jersey visiting for a social event. The investigation is continuing and I
will update you on any further developments.
Last night's article:
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino has reported that an Essex County undercover Sheriff's Officer shot and wounded a suspect during an undercover operation in Branch Brook Park, Newark at approximately 6 p.m. this evening.
The officer's name is being with
held at this time (standard operating procedure). The suspect was transported to University Hospital and is listed in grave condition.
The officer was taken to the same hopital for treatment (he is not shot).
The officer fired one shot striking the suspect in the chest area. The investigation is being conducted by the Prosecutor's HomicideSquad and Professional Standards Bureau in conjunction with the Essex County Sheriff's Department's Internal Affairs Unit.
The investigation is continuing.
