NJ Officer Shot Through Car Door After Suspect Shoots Victim, Then Takes Own Life

A New Jersey police officer was shot while responding to a domestic call after the gunman reportedly shot a woman Saturday afternoon, local officials said.

When Phillipsburg police responded to the home off Hanover Street, the suspect shot at the cruiser and one of the bullets entered through the driver's side door and struck the officer in the leg, according to police and the county prosecutor.

Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer said a second officer tried to return fire but his gun malfunctioned.

A neighbor who lives across the street from the house where the first gunshots were fired heard the commotion ran out to call 911 after seeing the man holding a gun in the street.

"I heard this scream, like out of hell," John Chillemi said. "I saw the man shoot at the cops one more time, then he switched, put the gun into his left hand and shot himself in the head."

Authorities say the suspect died from his injuries.

The injured officer, a veteran cop with 20 years on the job and near retirement, and a woman shot three times at the scene were airlifted to St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem.

OFFICER SHOT - We have had one of our officers shot this afternoon. Please pray for the Phillipsburg officer and the civilian who were both wounded. Both are at St. Lukes Hospital. pic.twitter.com/lumGGqYoGB

— New Jersey State PBA (@NJSPBA) April 8, 2023

Their conditions were not immediately known, but Phillipsburg Mayor Todd Tersigni said the wounded officer was "in good spirits" after visiting the hospital.

Investigators are said to be reviewing footage of the incident, both from body-worn camera and surveillance video recovered from the neighborhood.

Police believe the suspect is a known domestic abuser who was recently arrested and released pending further legal action. Investigators believe he shared a child with the woman living at the Hanover house.

The state attorney general’s office has released the scene to the Warren County prosecutor, who along with New Jersey State Police will be the lead agencies in this investigation.

"Our thoughts are with both victims as they begin their physical and emotional recoveries," Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. "Approximately 1,000 women are killed each year by intimate partners, and two-thirds of them involve guns."