New details on Atlantic City shooting that injured officers, left man dead
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- Two police officers were shot, and a man is dead following an incident in Atlantic City on Tuesday.
One of the officers, who is hospitalized in serious but stable condition, has been identified as SWAT Sergeant Christian Ivanov, according to the police union a GoFundMe.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. said, "Thank God that one of the officers is wearing a helmet," but he declined to elaborate on further injuries to the officers.
Ivanov is a father of three, as well as a small business owner, according to the fundraiser.
"Christian has spent his life protecting others. Now it is our turn to support him," the post said.
A second officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released from the hospital.
"My thoughts and prayers go out to the two officers, their families and the fine men and women in blue of the Atlantic City Police Department," Small said during an interview with Action News. "These are one of the professions that - you know - you might not return home. So, thank God that they're in stable condition and we wish them a speedy recovery."
The NJ Attorney General's Office identified the Atlantic City officer who fired shots during the incident as Robert Reynolds. He was not injured.
The situation began around 3 p.m. Tuesday as Atlantic City officers were serving a search warrant, the mayor said.
Chopper 6 was overhead as law enforcement swarmed the neighborhood along the 100 block of North Florida Avenue.
The AG's office said 52-year-old Donald Gardner, who is also known as Donald Capriotti, died in the encounter with officers. Officer Reynolds was identified as the person who shot Gardner.
"They killed my son, he was in a wheelchair. He's paralyzed," said Gardner's mother, Tina Thomas. "Where do I go from here. I don't know how do I go on."
It's still unclear what led up to the shooting, if Gardner was armed, or whether he fired guns during the encounter with police.
Gardner previously served a prison sentence for manslaughter and has been arrested on drug and weapons charges. Back in 2013, he was shot several times and paralyzed after eluding police in Egg Harbor Township.
"He's got a heart of gold, and anybody who knows him will tell you that. He's had a few brushes with the law along the way," said his mother.
Concerned neighbors said the events of the day are still leaving them on edge.
"We're scared to go out at night, scared to walk the streets anymore," said Joann Webb of Atlantic City.
Authorities have not said why the Gardner was being served the warrant.
The investigation is being led by the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, which is standard in police-involved shootings.
