The encounter starts as a traffic stop, maybe over a broken taillight or an expired registration.
Most times it ends with an annoyed driver clutching a ticket and cursing the officer, themselves, their bad luck or maybe all three.
But sometimes it doesn t end that neatly. Sometimes the traffic stop turns into a car chase. Which turns into a car crash. Which turns into a foot pursuit. Which turns into a struggle in someone’s yard.
Which turns into a police shooting.
Things can spiral in moments. And a police officer s split-second decision during that frantic dance can set a nation ablaze.
New Jersey Herald
An 80-year-old man held a gun to his head before he discharged two bullets in the direction of Newton officers, police said Tuesday, a day after the incident that sparked a chase and brief lockdown in town.
Newton patrols received a call around 1:30 p.m. from the man, stating he was suicidal and was in the parking garage of the Newton Town Centre complex with a gun, according to a police statement released Tuesday.
The man, whom police have so far declined to identify, abruptly hung up, authorities said.
Officers, attempting to speak to the despondent man, were instead nearly struck with gunfire after the man shot two bullets from a .22 caliber handgun in their direction, police said. No officers were struck and it s unclear whether the man was actually trying to hit the police.