A state grand jury decides police officers were justified in shooting two suspects who had killed three people at a kosher market and a Jersey City detective.
This week's heartbreaking ambush of rookie Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago has enraged not only New Jersey but the nation. Lawrence Campbell already got his death penalty, but word is gangs have declared open season on Jersey City cops.
In response to the killing by police of a man who allegedly murdered a Jersey City cop early this week, the United Blood Nation street gang is reportedly threatening to target police officers in that city and other areas of the Garden State. The threats and the problem of gang violence have certainly gotten the attention of lawmakers in Trenton.
Assemblyman Ron Dancer said Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago's murder might not have been prevented if the death penalty still existed in New Jersey, but the incident has at least renewed that conversation.
The mayor of Jersey City spoke out after friends of the man who allegedly shot and killed a police officer set up a memorial for the suspect, featuring candles, balloons and empty liquor bottles. The suspect's widow also said she wished her husband had "killed more" officers.
Following the sudden, senseless murder of Jersey City police officer Melvin Santiago this past weekend, many cops across the Garden State are on high alert.