Brooks shared his home with a longtime friend and caretaker, the neighbor added. That roommate was Marin, who had been struck by a car while riding a bike earlier in the day.
What happened next, according to a Camden County Police Department Chief Joseph Wysocki, was an outpouring of compassion and concern by Randall and other officers.
“They really prevented another tragedy from occurring,” the chief asserted.
After contacting the city’s fire department, Randall and Detective Megan Hill set up a ladder to reach Brooks’ apartment, according to a police account. Officer Justin Goldman and fire department personnel removed a window air conditioning unit to enter the home.