PLEASANTVILLE – The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has released video footage from multiple body worn cameras, as well as 911 audio recordings, of a non-fatal shooting that involved a police officer.
On May 24, an officer shot Jalial Whitted, 37, of Pleasantville in Pleasantville, Atlantic County, while responding to shots fired at, a local store.
Pleasantville Police received a 911 call at around 9:35 a.m. stating that an individual had discharged a gun at the Dollar General store located on South New Road in Pleasantville, the prosecutor’s office reported.
Pleasantville Police Officers responded to the Dollar General minutes later and found Whitted inside the store with a handgun protruding from his right pocket.
According to authorities, Whitted walked toward the officers and refused to follow directions to stop and drop to the ground and shouted the words “shoot me” to police.
Officers attempted to de-escalate the situation by backing away and allowing Whitted to leave the store and stand on the front sidewalk. During that time, Whitted reached for and placed his hand on the handgun in his right pocket, officials said. As a result, five police officers discharged their duty firearms at him.
Police stated that they fired to protect the lives of the nearby public, their own lives and the lives of their fellow officers.
In accordance to the policies established by the Office of the Attorney General for fair, impartial and transparent investigations of police officer involved shootings, the video footage from the body worn cameras has been released.
The recordings are posted online and may be viewed here:
The 911 calls are posted online and may be heard here:
At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing
