WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRr8TAeF0ck&t=5s
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office has released body camera footage showing the fatal shooting of an Atlantic City man by police.
Timothy Deal, 32, was shot dead after he allegedly stabbed a police officer in what Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner has called an unprovoked attack.
The injured officer, whose name has not been released, was part of a response to an unrelated hit-and-run in the 600 block of North Kentucky Avenue on June 22, when Deal approached with a knife, according to the investigation.
Videos from both the injured officer's body camera and another officer's camera were released by Tyner's office Tuesday, the same day Deal's family and friends laid him to rest.
The family has been asking for the footage to be released, saying Deal would never have attacked an officer, and was not known to carry a weapon.
But they questioned the timing Tuesday, the day of Deal's funeral.
"Disgusting," said Deal's sister Taria King.
Several loved ones gathered at the scene of the shooting Tuesday evening to talk about Deal and the questions they still have after the video's release, including why he seems to head straight for the one officer, ignoring others near him.
"Tim is full of rage," his father, Michael King, says. "Why?"
Deal was employed at the time of his death, and proud of what he was doing with his life, his family said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjX_gec93qU&feature=youtu.be
“The death of Timothy Deal, while tragic, was in response to his unprovoked attack on a police officer with a knife," Tyner said in a news release. "The unfortunate circumstances, where unarmed individuals have been assaulted and in some instances killed, that have occurred throughout the United States should not be compared to this matter. Each incident has its own set of facts and must be investigated separately."
The Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy of Deal, finding he died of multiple gunshot wounds. and results determined that he died from multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing and will include submission of evidence to the New Jersey State Police Ballistics Laboratory, according to the prosecutor.
As per New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines, the Division of Criminal Justice was notified and the Atlantic County Major Crimes Unit is conducting the investigation without the participation of the Atlantic City Police Department.
"We must not lose sight of the fact that a sworn police officer reported to the scene of an accident to protect the public, and was attacked for no apparent reason," Tyner said. "The officer defended himself and protected the public from untold harm. This incident reminds us of how fragile life can be and we should all be thankful that no innocent bystanders were injured.”
As family and friends gathered at the scene of the shooting, a community walk was wrapping up about a block away. Tyner addressed the shooting there, and said he believes walks like those done weekly during the summer involving members of his office, the Atlantic City Police Department and residents help avoid violent protests like those that have been seen following police shootings in other parts of the country. Deal's family has been adamant about their protests' focus being on getting answers not causing problems or resulting in violence.
https://www.facebook.com/ACProsecutor/videos/10155388132055894/
