Officials Call For United Front In Wake Of Deadly Bridgeton Police Shooting

BRIDGETON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A video released earlier this week showed a traffic stop involving Bridgeton, New Jersey police and two men.

One of those men was shot dead by police.

As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, Bridgeton mayor Albert Kelly called for a united front during a Friday news conference.

"I cannot tell you how to think. Neither will I try to tell you how to think," Kelly said, "So I will leave it up to you to judge."

He instead allowed NAACP New Jersey President Richard Smith to comment on the investigation into the shooting.

Some who are angry with the investigation wanted the state to take over, rather than have the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office handle it.

"We do not believe at this point that it's necessary for the state attorney general's office to take control of the investigation surrounding this fateful shooting," NAACP NJ President Richard Smith said.

On December 30, Bridgeton police pulled over a Jaguar after the driver allegedly ran a stop sign. Things took a turn once Officer Braheme Days began talking to the passenger, 36-year-old Jerame Reid.

Days can be heard shouting for Reid to put his hands up, and asks his partner Officer Roger Worley to come over.

Day appears to indicate that there is a firearm in the glove compartment. He appears to remove the gun from the car, but things escalated.

Officer Day gives Reid a warning.

"Hey Jerome (sic), you reach for something you're (expletive) dead. He's reaching. Show me your (expletive) hands. No you're not, no you're not, no you're not, don't (expletive) move," he shouts before shots are fired.

Both officers opened fire, killing Reid.

With many awaiting the findings of the investigation, Smith offered his thoughts on the current tensions.

"This is a people issue. People know that they need the police and the police know that they need the people. We just can't pit ourselves against each other," Smith said.

Both officers are on paid administrative leave. The video was made public after an open records request.