Officer In NJ Standoff Shooting Placed On Leave: Prosecutor

The police officer who fatally shot a man during a standoff in South Jersey over the weekend has been placed on administrative leave, authorities announced on Monday.

“Evidence has revealed that one officer discharged their weapon,” the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office said in reference to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Rashaun Washington, of Bridgeton. “That officer has been placed on paid administrative leave by City of Vineland Police Department Chief Rudolph Beu, per their departmental policy.”

Vineland police had been dispatched to West Wood Street at about 11:22 a.m. Saturday morning, July 14. Washington was “acting suspiciously” on the front porch, according to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office.

The encounter between the officers and the man lasted for several minutes, ending with Washington being fatality shot, according to the CCPO.

Jose Pagan told nj.com Washington was pacing shirtless and “appeared to be agitated.” He told police he knew a woman who lived there, and another woman had asked him to leave. Pagan said police shot him after he said, “I’m not leaving, you’re gonna have to kill me,” and began approaching the officers.

The investigation is being conducted by the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office in accordance with Attorney General Directive 2006-05 regarding Uniform Statewide Procedures and Best Practices for Conducting Police Use of Force Investigations, according to the CCPO.

Anyone wishing to share information may contact Detective Joseph Lowry of the CCPO at 856-453-0486, ext. 11197.

See related: Details Revealed After Man Killed In NJ Police Standoff On Video

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