Off-Duty Sayreville, New Jersey Police Officer Found Shot To Death In Car
SAYREVILLE, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- An off-duty Sayreville, New Jersey police officer was found shot dead in his personal vehicle in the parking lot of a closed movie theater complex.
As CBS2's Alice Gainer reported, the officer's body was found around 7:15 a.m. Monday in a black car with the passenger side door open. The car was parked in the lot for the abandoned Amboy Cinemas building off Route 9 right near the Driscoll Bridge.
It appears the officer suffered at least one gunshot wound and the county medical examiner will determine the cause of death, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said.
Investigators were examining the black Dodge with its shattered window on its passenger side door. The vehicle was not a police cruiser.
Police cars and investigators were linked up on a highway next to the movie theater, which has been closed for years.
There is no word on if police are looking for a suspect, CBS2's Magdalena Doris reported.
It is unclear why the officer was at the location or what the circumstances were surrounding his death, WCBS 880's Kelly Waldron reported.
The Amboy Cinemas building has been abandoned for years, and many in the area wonder when something will be done about it.
"I feel like they should probably build something there -- keep it populated -- so stuff like that wouldn't happen," said Angel Munoz of Perth Amboy.
"Like any abandoned place, I mean, that's sad to hear that, That's the first time I'm hearing that story right here," said Leon Harrell of Somerset. "I pray for the family of the officers, but again, it's a good property that needs to be redeveloped."
Meanwhile, an American flag at the nearby Sayreville police station was lowered to half-staff.
The officer's name had not been released late Monday, but police told CBS2's Gainer he is a nine-year veteran of the force.
New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association President Pat Colligan released a statement late Monday, which also did not identify the officer but said he was a husband and father.
"Today we lost a fellow officer, who was a husband, dad, and friend," Colligan said via Twitter. "Let us all keep Sayreville PD in our prayers."
The investigation was ongoing late Monday, but there had been no mention of a suspect or a search for one.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Wayne Canastra of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at (732) 745-3809.
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