Body camera footage shows the events leading up to the fatal shooting of a Bridgeton man by Vineland police, the prosecutor announced Thursday.
Footage from the July 14 incident was being released Thursday to those who made public records requests for it, Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae said.
Police were called to West Wood Street at 11:22 a.m. for a man acting suspiciously on a front porch.
The encounter between the officers and Rashaun Washington lasted about 28 minutes, Webb-McRae said the body camera footage shows.
In that time, Washington alluded to having an explosive device wrapped in a T-shirt. After he was shot, police found a garden shear with an 8¼-inch blade inside the shirt, Webb-McRae said the footage show.
“De-escalation techniques were used by the officers throughout the encounter,” she said.
After Washington, 37, was shot, a K-9 dog was released for about 15 seconds as police tried to immobilize Washington and secure the item inside the T-shirt, Webb-McRae said.
One officer discharged their weapon during the encounter. The unnamed officer is on paid administrative leave.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Joseph Lowry at 856-453-0486, ext. 11197.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Prosecutor's Office Detective Joseph Lowry at 856-453-0486, ext. 11197. Information may be shared anonymously by downloading the CCPOTIP app and choosing the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office or by texting tip411 (847411) beginning the text with CCPOTIP. Tips also may be submitted to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Facebook page HERE or through the website HERE.
