NEWARK, N.J. – The American Civil Liberties Union yesterday requested the state Attorney General’s Office investigate last weekend’s fatal shooting of an unarmed man, the 48-year-old CEO of Credit Union of Atlanta, by an Essex County sheriff’s officer inside a park.
The ACLU said questions still surround the July 16 shooting death of DeFarra Gaymon 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 in town for his 30th high school reunion, 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."
