Lacey Police Release Details Of Pine Beach Police Officer And Accidental Shooting

by Patricia A. Miller

Off-duty Pine Beach Police Officer Jesse Urban at first tried to drive a Forked River man to the hospital after his gun accidentally discharged and struck the man in the leg, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

“Initial investigation revealed that Jesse Urban immediately tried to drive the victim directly to the hospital, but upon determining the seriousness of the injury, made the decision to stop and call for assistance,” the chief said.

Lacey police officers Michael Eden, Darrell Nick, and Christopher Meyler responded to the 7-11 store located at 403 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor at 5:59 a.m. on Jan. 16 on a report of an accidental shooting, Paprota said.

They found a 23-year-old male from Forked River seated inside a vehicle with an apparent gunshot wound to his left thigh area. Eden immediately administered first aid to the victim. The other involved party was identified as 24-year-old Jesse Urban, an off-duty police officer with the Pine Beach Police Department, Paprota said.

The initial investigation indicated that the weapon accidentally discharged occurred while the two men were seated in the vehicle while it was parked at a residence on Roanoke Drive in Lanoka Harbor, the chief said.

The victim was treated by the paramedics and members of the first aid squad before being taken by helicopter to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, Paprota said.

Lacey police arrested Urban for driving under the influence. He was taken to police headquarters and processed, while the investigation of the shooting continued, the chief said.

Lacey detectives, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene. Urban was also charged with reckless driving, Paprota said.

The vehicle was impounded as per John’s Law and in order to obtain a search warrant, he said.

“Pursuant to the mandates of the New Jersey Attorney General Directive regarding police officer-involved shooting incidents, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office assumed control of the shooting investigation,” the chief said.

The Prosecutor’s Office initially charged Urban with aggravated assault with a weapon, pending further investigation, Paprota said.