Non-Fatal Police Involved Shooting In Mt. Ephraim

Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo reported a non-fatal police-involved shooting in Mt. Ephraim on Tuesday, February 6, 2018.

Preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 12:30 pm Camden County Central Communications received a 911 call from an individual who reported that his daughter had called him and said she was involved in a physical altercation with her boyfriend.

He told dispatchers that the boyfriend, identified as Matthew Barba, 29, of Mt. Ephraim had weapons and threatened to shoot his daughter.

Officers from Mt. Ephraim and Brooklawn responded to the 100 block of Cleveland Avenue in Mt. Ephraim.

They removed a female and her four (4) year old son from the home.

The police began communicating with Mr. Barba when they saw him holding a rifle.

Barba pointed the rifle at police and a Brooklawn officer fired his rifle but did not hit Mr. Barba.  Mr. Barba ran up the steps inside the residence and police continuously ordered him to surrender.

Mr. Barba surrendered to police at approximately 1:10 pm and was taken into custody.

He was charged with Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, second degree, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Rifle), Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Assault (Pointing a Firearm at Law Enforcement Officer) each third degree offenses and two counts of fourth degree Assault (Pointing a Firearm).

He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for evaluation and has been remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility.

He is pending an appearance in Superior Court.

The Officer, whose identity will not be released at this time, was not injured and has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

When a municipal police officer is involved in a shooting, the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office conducts an investigation into the incident, as required by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office guidelines.

The local police department is not involved in the investigation.

(Source: Camden County Prosecutor)

All persons charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.