Tuckerton, NJ: Man, 35, shot dead by police in Tuckerton after 911 call

Residents say he had knife when cops arrived

TUCKERTON — A 35-year-old man, reportedly armed with a knife, was shot to death Thursday night by police, who went to a borough home in response to a report of a domestic disturbance.

The two borough police officers who responded to the 911 call to go to 207 Otis Ave. were taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River for evaluation following the shooting, according to Deputy Chief Mike Mohel of the Prosecutor’s Office.

The girlfriend of the shooting victim, Melissa Cranmer — who had made the 911 call — was taken by ambulance to a hospital following the shooting, according to friend Kathy Deschamps.

“We heard six shots,” Deschamps said at the scene. “Melissa ran outside when she heard the shots, and she collapsed.”

Deschamps said Cranmer came to her home at Marine Street and Otis Avenue to call police to her home. She said Cranmer is a divorced mother of three children.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, Mohel said. Police got the call about 8:25 p.m., he said.

“A female dialed 911 to the Tuckerton Police Department and two officers responded to a domestic dispute,” Mohel said. “Preliminary investigation indicates so far that the officers were threatened by the man with some type of weapon. He was shot and killed.”

Residents who knew the victim said he had a knife when police arrived at 207 Otis Ave.

“My cousin’s boyfriend got shot,” said Subrina Bozarth of Great Bay Boulevard, Cranmer’s cousin and Deschamps’ daughter.

Bozarth said her cousin, Cranmer, came to her mother’s house nearby because she wanted to call police, Deschamps said.

Cramner’s children went went to stay with Cranmer’s mother, who lives nearby. But Cranmer’s ex-husband’s mother later came to take the children after the shooting.

“She came over to my mother’s house (to call police) to get him removed,” said Bozarth.

“When they (police) came to her house, I guess he had a knife,” she said.

Great Bay Emergency Medical Services, local police and the Tuckerton Fire Company were at the scene. Police blocked off Otis Avenue at Marine Street while the investigation continued.

Mohel declined to say how many shots were fired.

“The investigation is continuing,” he said.

Mohel said he was withholding the name of the victim until all next of kin had been notified. He said an autopsy would be performed Friday.

Stephanie Loder: 732-557-5619; sloder@njpressmedia.com