In a disturbing incident captured on police dash-cam, a state trooper in New Jersey fatally shot an unarmed 28-year-old Black man during a traffic stop last month. This footage was made public following mounting calls from the media, family members, and political figures for transparency amid ongoing national protests against police violence.
The man, identified as Jamal Thompson, was stopped by Officer Mike Reynolds on May 23 for suspected speeding. After the stop, Thompson’s vehicle became immobilized on the Garden State Parkway. Officer Reynolds arranged for a tow truck and offered Thompson a mask, suggesting he wait in the back of his patrol car until help arrived.
According to the footage, Thompson, a chemistry student and Uber driver, remained in the car for about 20 minutes before exiting. He was not under arrest; however, Officer Reynolds repeatedly ordered him to “get back in the car.” As tensions escalated, they began to struggle. The attorney general’s office claims Thompson attempted to enter the driver’s seat of the patrol car twice. During the first attempt, he was pepper-sprayed, and during the second, Officer Reynolds pulled him from the car and shot him six times.
Reports indicate that Thompson may have been experiencing a mental health crisis that day. A friend had called 911 earlier, expressing concern over Thompson’s erratic behavior and panic. The friend described him as “a gentle soul,” adding that he was a devout Christian who kept a Bible in his car.
On Monday, attorney Lisa Green expressed her clients’ distress over not having seen the video before its public release. “They were devastated. It felt like a further victimization of this family,” Green stated. She also raised concerns about potential additional footage and is advocating for an independent prosecutor to handle the case when it goes to trial. “It’s vital that New Jersey ensures a fair investigation and presentation of evidence to the grand jury,” she emphasized.
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In summary, the release of dash-cam footage showing the fatal shooting of Jamal Thompson by Officer Reynolds has sparked outrage and calls for an independent investigation into the incident, highlighting the ongoing issues of police violence and mental health crises.