NEWARK — The American Civil Liberties Union today requested the state Attorney General’s Office investigate last weekend’s fatal shooting of an unarmed man by an Essex County sheriff’s officer inside a park. In a letter faxed to Attorney General Paula Dow and Division of Criminal Justice Director Stephen Taylor, the ACLU-NJ said questions still surround the July 16 shooting...
DeFarra "Dean" Gaymon died after being shot by an Essex County sheriff's detective in Branch Brook Park in Newark. NEWARK — The American Civil Liberties Union today requested the state Attorney General’s Office investigate last weekend’s fatal shooting of an unarmed man by an Essex County sheriff’s officer inside a park.
In a letter faxed to Attorney General Paula Dow and Division of Criminal Justice Director Stephen Taylor, the ACLU-NJ said questions still surround the July 16 shooting death of DeFarra Gaymon, 48, inside Branch Brook Park.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the shooting death, which happened during a confrontation with the undercover officer, who has not been charged.
The unnamed officer told authorities that Gaymon masturbated in front of him then lunged at and tried to disarm the officer after he showed his badge. The officer fired a single shot, striking Gaymon in the stomach. The former Montclair resident, who was CEO of an Atlanta credit union, died a short time later.
The ACLU said that while it has faith in the prosecutor’s office, "only an independent investigation will result in findings in which the public can have confidence."
Paul Loriquet, a spokesman for the attorney general, said her office "will review this matter with the Division of Criminal Justice. As we speak, we are still monitoring it closely."
On Wednesday, the ACLU and Garden State Equality, the state’s leading gay rights organization, filed separate requests asking for documents relating to the shooting.
Staff writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
Previous coverage:
• Prosecutor: Ex-N.J. man was masturbating, solicited sex from officer prior to fatal park shooting
• ACLU, gay rights groups call for 'thorough' investigation into fatal shooting of Atlanta CEO
• Ex-Montclair man killed in Branch Brook Park threatened sheriff's officer, prosecutor says