Acting

Essex County

Prosecutor Robert Laurino today announced that an autopsyperformed by the Essex County Medical Examiner's Office determinedCredit Union of Atlanta President/CEO DeFarra Gaymon died from asingle gunshot wound to the abdomen.

The following details are from the prosecutor's office:

Gaymon was fatally shot at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, July16 by an undercover Essex County sheriff's detective investigatingcomplaints of public sexual activity at Branch Brook Park inNewark. The 29-year-old officer, who has been with the departmentfor eight years, is fully cooperating with the prosecutor's office.He gavea statement to investigators yesterday evening.

According to the officer, he made an arrest in an unrelated casewhen he realized he had loss a pair of handcuffs during thatarrest. After the suspect in that earlier case was secured, theofficer told his partner he was going back into the woods,retracing his steps in an effort to find the missing handcuffs.While bending down to retrieve the handcuffs, the plainclothesofficer was approached by Gaymon who was engaged in a sex act atthe time.

The officer pulled out his badge, identified himself as a policeofficer and informed Gaymon he was under arrest. Gaymon appeared topanic, assaulted the police officer and fled. A foot chase ensued.The officer made repeated commands to Gaymon to stop and submit.Gaymon ignored those commands, did not raise his arms or make hishands visible and repeatedly threatened to kill the officer. Gaymonthen lunged at and attempted to disarm the officer while reachinginto his own pocket. Fearing for his life, the officer dischargedhis service weapon, striking Mr. Gaymon once.

The officer immediately called for help and rendered first aidto Gaymon who was rushed to University Hospital and was pronounceddead at 9 p.m. No weapon was recovered at the scene. The officer,who was also taken to the hospital, was treated for trauma andreleased. He has not been cleared to return to work at this time.He was on medication and under a doctor's care for the weekend.

The next of kin have been notified. Gaymon was married and hasfour minor children. He was in New Jersey to attend his 30th classreunion at Montclair High School.

The investigation is ongoing. Witnesses with information areasked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office ProfessionalStandards Bureau at 973-266-4250 or the Homicide Unit at1-877-847-7432.The case will be presented to a grand jury as isrequired under guidelines established by the Office of the AttorneyGeneral in all cases involving police shootings.