SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY

Protest for NJ Police-Involved Shooting Turns Chaotic After Road Reopens

The protest of a recent fatal police shooting of a South Jersey man turned chaotic after a street was reopened to traffic.

Roughly 200 people gathered in Bridgeton, New Jersey Saturday to protest the Dec. 30 death of Jerame Reid. The 36-year-old Bridgeton man was shot and killed by police during a traffic stop that was captured by a patrol car camera.

The marchers initially gathered near the site where Reid was killed and then walked toward the Cumberland County Courthouse, where they staged a rally to call for justice in the case.

The event grew tense when Reid's mother, Sheila Reid-Mayers, stepped up to speak. Just as she was starting to talk, Bridgeton Police reopened NJ Route 49, which had been closed due to the protest. Police and the Bridgeton Mayor told NBC10 they were ordered to do so by NJDOT.

The move angered some of the protesters who believed it was disrespectful since the rally was still taking place. As some of the protesters tried to block the intersection, a Jeep drove through and narrowly missed their feet.

NBC10's camera captured one of the protesters kicking one of the Jeep's tires as it drove off.

The protester and others then pointed at the Jeep and yelled to get the attention of two officers, claiming the vehicle struck him. The officers then pulled the man who kicked the Jeep to the side as angry protesters gathered around them, demanding that police go after the Jeep instead of the man.

“You’re gonna lock up the man that just got hit by a car?” shouted one protester on a megaphone as police placed the man in handcuffs. “Go after the car!”

The protester also criticized the decision to reopen Route 49.

“There were other routes ya’ll could’ve let those cars go down,” he yelled. “You did not have to open up the streets until we cleared! Ya’ll caused this trouble! And then you expect us to believe that ya’ll could have law and order? I don’t think so!”

Both police and the protester on the megaphone were eventually able to calm the crowd down.

“Listen, we need everyone to come to the sidewalks,” he shouted. “Come to the sidewalks! Get off the streets! They’re gonna start a problem ya’ll! Come out the streets! Come out the streets!”

The man who kicked the car was placed into custody though police have not yet revealed whether or not he was charged with anything.

This story is developing. Stay with NBC10.com for updates.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us