No witnesses have come forward in the case of the July 16 fatal shooting of Dean Gaymon, who was president/CEO of the Credit Union of Atlanta, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office in New Jersey.
Katherine Carter, a spokeswoman with the prosecutor's office, told Credit Union Times on Sept. 30 that there is "nothing new to report at this time." Under guidelines established by the state Office of the Attorney General in all cases involving police shootings, Gaymon's case was set to be presented to a grand jury.
Gaymon was shot and killed by a New Jersey undercover sheriff's detective July 16 at a Newark, N.J., park. In a statement to the prosecutor's office, the detective said he was investigating complaints of sexual activity at the park. He confronted Gaymon, who he said attempted to flee. The detective said Gaymon ignored commands to stop. It is not clear when Gaymon stopped running. However, according to the detective, when Gaymon lunged at him in an attempt to disarm him, he discharged his service weapon, fatally striking Gaymon once in the abdomen.
Gaymon was in town to attend his 30th high school reunion. The Star-Ledger newspaper and other publications have identified the officer as Edward Esposito, who has been with the Essex County Sheriff's Department for eight years.
Meanwhile, Carter confirmed that the detective was back on the job within days of the incident. Shortly after the shooting, the detective, who was not injured, was treated for trauma at a local hospital and placed on paid medical leave. Carter said the detective has been reassigned to the Office of Emergency Management until after the case is presented to the grand jury.
Credit Union of Atlanta did not respond to a request for any updates it may have heard. Gaymon's family could not be reached for comment.
--msamaad@cutimes.com
