A newly released video capturing the police shooting death of a New Jersey man shows an officer warning the suspect not to move or he’ll be “f—ing dead” before the man steps out of his car.
Jerame C. Reid, 36, is seen exiting the vehicle with his hands raised at shoulder height when a Bridgeton police officer, who recognizes Reid by name, fired at least six times.
Reid’s violent encounter with police happened on Dec. 30th when driver Leroy Tutt, 46, of Long Branch was pulled over for a routine traffic stop for running a stop sign. As officer Braheme Days approaches the car, he calls to his partner, Roger Worley, “We’ve got a gun in this glove compartment!”
“I ain’t got no reason to reach for nothing, bro, I ain’t got no reason to reach for nothing,” Reid is heard responding as Days continues to yell to his partner that Reid is reaching for something.
“I’m getting out and getting on the ground,” Days is heard telling the officer before indeed opening the car door and stepping out.
Days, while shouting, takes several steps back before opening fire upon Reid as he stands with two hands — appearing empty — in the air.
Worley appears to fire off his handgun as well.
The disturbing video was obtained by South Jersey Times and the Press of Atlantic City through an open requests request.
The shooting has sparked protests in the south Jersey town citing deadly excessive force by police officers. The death of Reid comes on the heels of the police shooting deaths of several black men. Activists are calling for a full investigation.
The Bridgeton Police Department released a statement Tuesday expressing it was upset over the video’s release, calling it unprofessional and uncompassionate “out of respect for the family.”
“Since this remains a criminal investigation being conducted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance from the New Jersey State Police the administration of the Bridgeton Police Dept. will refrain from any further comment other than that it fully supports the officers involved as well as the legal process this incident is subject to,” it added.
Both officers have been placed on leave while the Cumberland County prosecutor’s office investigates.
