NEW JERSEY — The Camden County Prosecutor’s Office has determined the use of deadly force was legally justified in a shooting that involved Camden County Police Department officers and a suicidal man wielding a realistic-looking air pistol. An independent investigation revealed 33-year-old Oscar Camacho, Jr. ignored orders to drop his weapon as he walked toward two officers while pointing a .22 Crosman Arms CO2 revolver at one of the officers near the intersection of Bergen and Harrison Avenues on the night of July 3, 2015.
The shooting occurred after Mr. Camacho called 911 at approximately 11 p.m. and advised the dispatcher he had been involved in multiple motor collisions. He also indicated he was armed with a gun, wanted to kill himself and intended to confront police. Following the 911 call, Mr. Camacho said his goodbyes to friends and relatives and then walked off the porch of a friend’s residence toward responding officers.
Several witnesses, including area residents, confirmed he had his arm raised and pointed in a manner consistent with aiming a weapon at the officers as he advanced toward them. After ignoring orders to drop his weapon, two of the three responding officers fired at Mr. Camacho. He was struck multiples times and fell to the ground. Afterward, his weapon was found lying within inches of him.
The New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice reviewed the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office’s investigation and agreed with the conclusion that the use of deadly force was legally justified.
