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New Jersey police officer fatally shot - CNN.com
A New Jersey police officer was killed in what a prosecutor called a close-range, "execution-style" shooting.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon in the New Jersey township of Lakewood. The police officer stopped a pedestrian and was having a conversation with the pedestrian right before the shooting occurred, said Marlene Lynch Ford, the Ocean County prosecutor.
"The individual stepped back suddenly, pulled out a handgun and shot the officer three times," Ford said. "The officer's weapon was still in his holster. That is how quickly it happened."
The officer, identified as Christopher Matlosz, was still sitting in his patrol car when the shooting occurred, Ford said.
Police were still determining whether Matlosz knew the pedestrian and the reason the officer was questioning the man, Ford said.
Witnesses have told police that the exchange between the officer and the gunman appeared calm before the shooting. Lakewood police and other authorities immediately launched a manhunt for the gunman, said Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson.
"He was one of our most popular officers. He was dedicated to his job," Lawson said. "He was the best of us."
Matlosz, 27, had worked for the police department since 2006 and was engaged to be married, Lynch said.
"Our goal is to identify the perpetrator of this heinous, execution-style murder and bring that person to justice," Ford said.
Authorities did not release the name of a gunman at a Friday afternoon news conference.
A New Jersey police officer was killed in what a prosecutor called a close-range, "execution-style" shooting.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon in the New Jersey township of Lakewood. The police officer stopped a pedestrian and was having a conversation with the pedestrian right before the shooting occurred, said Marlene Lynch Ford, the Ocean County prosecutor.
"The individual stepped back suddenly, pulled out a handgun and shot the officer three times," Ford said. "The officer's weapon was still in his holster. That is how quickly it happened."
The officer, identified as Christopher Matlosz, was still sitting in his patrol car when the shooting occurred, Ford said.
Police were still determining whether Matlosz knew the pedestrian and the reason the officer was questioning the man, Ford said.
Witnesses have told police that the exchange between the officer and the gunman appeared calm before the shooting. Lakewood police and other authorities immediately launched a manhunt for the gunman, said Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson.
"He was one of our most popular officers. He was dedicated to his job," Lawson said. "He was the best of us."
Matlosz, 27, had worked for the police department since 2006 and was engaged to be married, Lynch said.
"Our goal is to identify the perpetrator of this heinous, execution-style murder and bring that person to justice," Ford said.
Authorities did not release the name of a gunman at a Friday afternoon news conference.
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